budget
BUHJ-iht
Budget (noun) means an amount of money set aside for a particular purpose, project, or period of time. Example: “We have a small budget for the party, so we will make our own decorations.”
noun
1
An amount of money set aside for a particular purpose, project, or period of time.
"We have a small budget for the party, so we will make our own decorations."
"The school's budget for new computers was cut this year."
"They stuck to a strict monthly budget after paying off their debt."
2
A detailed plan listing expected income and planned spending.
"Before buying the house, she wrote a budget showing her monthly wages and bills."
"The club treasurer updated the budget each month to track what members had spent."
"The finance team presented the annual budget to the board."
adj
1
Inexpensive; designed to be affordable.
"We flew with a budget airline to keep the cost of the holiday low."
"He bought a budget phone because he only needed it for calls and messages."
"They stayed at a budget hotel near the airport."
verb
1
To plan how money will be spent or allocated.
"If we budget carefully each month, we can afford a holiday in summer."
"The council has budgeted for new playground equipment at the local park."
"We budgeted extra money for unexpected repairs."
How to use budget
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA plan for how much money is available and how it will be spent.
Common pairings
tight budget
budget cuts
on a budget
balance the budget
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Word forms
- Plural
- budgets
- Third person singular
- budgets
- Past tense
- budgeted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We have a small _____ for the party, so we will make our own decorations.
Etymology
From Middle English "bouget," a small leather bag or pouch, from Old French "bougette" — the word originally meant the pouch a treasurer carried, before shifting to mean the financial plan itself.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “budget” mean?
The word “budget” means an amount of money set aside for a particular purpose, project, or period of time. In plain terms, a plan for how much money is available and how it will be spent.
How do you pronounce “budget”?
“Budget” is pronounced BUHJ-iht (/ˈbʌd͡ʒ.ɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “budget” in a sentence?
Here is “budget” used in a sentence: “The school's budget for new computers was cut this year.”
What part of speech is “budget”?
Depending on how it is used, “budget” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “budget” come from?
The word “budget” comes from Old French. From Middle English "bouget," a small leather bag or pouch, from Old French "bougette" — the word originally meant the pouch a treasurer carried, before shifting to mean the financial plan itself.
Is “budget” a common word?
“Budget” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “budget” have?
“Budget” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an amount of money set aside for a particular purpose, project, or period of time.
What is the difference between a budget and an estimate?
A budget is a planned limit — the amount of money you set aside and commit to spending on something. An estimate is an approximate prediction of what a job or item will actually cost. You use estimates to help build a budget, then aim to keep real spending within that budget.
Does 'budget' mean cheap?
As a noun, no — a budget is simply a spending plan. But as an adjective, budget does mean low-cost or economical: a budget airline, a budget hotel, or a budget option. In that use it signals affordability rather than luxury, without necessarily implying poor quality.
Why is a budget important?
A budget matters because it plans and controls spending, making sure the money available is matched to real needs and goals. It helps individuals, businesses, and governments avoid overspending, save for priorities, and see where money goes. Without one, it is easy to run short or waste resources.
What are the main types of budgets?
Common kinds include personal or household budgets for everyday living, business budgets that plan a company's income and costs, and government budgets that set national spending and taxes. Projects and events also have their own budgets. All share the same idea: money set aside for a defined purpose.
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