finance
fih-NANS
Finance (noun) means the management of money, investments, and other assets. Example: “She studied finance before working at an investment bank.”
noun
1
The management of money, investments, and other assets.
"She studied finance before working at an investment bank."
"My sister works in finance and helps companies manage their money."
"The college offers a short course in personal finance for beginners."
2
A payment plan or loan arrangement that lets someone buy something without paying the full price upfront.
"They bought the car on finance, paying monthly installments."
"We got the sofa on finance and pay a small amount each month."
"Ask the dealer whether finance is available if you cannot pay everything now."
verb
1
To provide the money needed for a project, purchase, or venture.
"The bank agreed to finance the new factory."
"The council plans to finance the new library with money from local taxes."
"Her parents helped finance her first year at university."
How to use finance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMoney matters in general — managing it, or arranging to borrow it for a purchase.
Common pairings
personal finance
finance a car
the world of finance
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like finance.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- finances
- Third person singular
- finances
- Past tense
- financed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She studied _____ before working at an investment bank.
Etymology
From Old French finance, originally meaning "payment" or "settlement of a debt," from finer ("to pay a ransom/settle a debt"), ultimately from Latin finis ("end").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for finance
See all rhymes for finance →Frequently asked questions
What does “finance” mean?
The word “finance” means the management of money, investments, and other assets. In plain terms, money matters in general — managing it, or arranging to borrow it for a purchase.
How do you pronounce “finance”?
“Finance” is pronounced fih-NANS (/fɪˈnæns/ in IPA).
How do you use “finance” in a sentence?
Here is “finance” used in a sentence: “She studied finance before working at an investment bank.”
What part of speech is “finance”?
Depending on how it is used, “finance” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “finance” come from?
The word “finance” comes from Latin. From Old French finance, originally meaning "payment" or "settlement of a debt," from finer ("to pay a ransom/settle a debt"), ultimately from Latin finis ("end").
Is “finance” a common word?
“Finance” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “finance” have?
“Finance” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the management of money, investments, and other assets.
What is the difference between finance and accounting?
Accounting records and reports what has already happened with money — tracking transactions, preparing statements, and ensuring the books are accurate. Finance is forward-looking: it uses that information to plan, raise funds, and decide how to invest or spend to grow value. In short, accounting looks back while finance looks ahead.
What are the main types of finance?
Finance is usually split into three areas. Personal finance covers individual budgeting, saving, and borrowing. Corporate finance deals with how companies raise capital and manage profits. Public finance concerns government income and spending, such as taxes and budgets. All three share the same core aim: managing money and assets wisely.
Why is finance important?
Finance turns money into a tool for reaching goals. For individuals it makes saving, borrowing, and planning for the future possible. For businesses and governments it decides which projects get funded and how risk is managed. Sound financial management keeps organisations solvent and helps resources flow to where they are most useful.
What is the difference between finance and economics?
Economics is the broad study of how societies produce, distribute, and consume resources, looking at big patterns like inflation and employment. Finance is narrower and more practical, focusing on how individuals, companies, and institutions actually manage money, investments, and assets. Economics explains the system; finance operates within it.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include finance:
