currency
KUHR-uhn-see
Currency (noun) means the system of money used in a particular country. Example: “The euro is the currency used across much of Europe.”
noun
1
The system of money used in a particular country.
"The euro is the currency used across much of Europe."
"They exchanged their dollars for the local currency at the airport."
"Before our trip, I checked what the local currency was and how much to change."
2
The state of being widely accepted, used, or believed.
"The rumor gained currency after being repeated on social media."
"The idea of working four days a week has gained currency among many employers."
"Old customs like that have lost currency among younger people in the village."
How to use currency
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe money system of a country, or, more broadly, how widely something is accepted or believed.
Common pairings
foreign currency
currency exchange
gain currency
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Word forms
- Plural
- currencies
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The euro is the _____ used across much of Europe.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin currentia, "a flowing" or "a running," from Latin currere, "to run" — the idea of money "running" or circulating through an economy.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for currency
agency
latency
urgency
potency
decency
regency
tendency
clemency
leniency
frequency
emergency
residency
See all rhymes for currency →
Frequently asked questions
What does “currency” mean?
The word “currency” means the system of money used in a particular country. In plain terms, the money system of a country, or, more broadly, how widely something is accepted or believed.
How do you pronounce “currency”?
“Currency” is pronounced KUHR-uhn-see (/ˈkʌɹ.ən.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “currency” in a sentence?
Here is “currency” used in a sentence: “The euro is the currency used across much of Europe.”
What part of speech is “currency”?
“Currency” is a noun.
Where does the word “currency” come from?
The word “currency” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin currentia, "a flowing" or "a running," from Latin currere, "to run" — the idea of money "running" or circulating through an economy.
Is “currency” a common word?
“Currency” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “currency” have?
“Currency” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the system of money used in a particular country.
What is the difference between currency and money?
Money is the general term for any medium of exchange, including physical cash and bank balances. Currency usually refers to the specific system of money used in a particular country, such as the pound, the dollar, or the euro.
Is currency countable or uncountable?
Both, depending on the sense. It is countable when comparing different national systems of money ('trading in several currencies') and uncountable when it means general acceptance or circulation ('the theory still has currency').
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