adjective

fungible

FUN-jih-buhl

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Fungible (adjective) means Able to be exchanged for another unit of the same kind without any difference in value, because every unit is identical in worth. Example: “Money is fungible: one twenty-pound note will do the job of any other.”

adjective

Able to be exchanged for another unit of the same kind without any difference in value, because every unit is identical in worth.

"Money is fungible: one twenty-pound note will do the job of any other."

"Crude oil is a fungible commodity, so a barrel from one field trades like a barrel from another."

chiefly economics and policy Of funds or resources: able to be shifted from the purpose they were meant for to some other purpose.

"Aid is fungible, so a grant for schools can quietly free up money for weapons."

How to use fungible

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOne is as good as another, so you can swap them.

When to use it

Formal; mainly used in law, economics and finance, though it has spread into general writing through cryptocurrency.

Memory tip

Stress the first syllable and pronounce the g softly, like the j in judge.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

non-fungible liquid → transferable

Common pairings

fungible asset fungible commodity perfectly fungible money is fungible

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “fungible” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Money is _____: one twenty-pound note will do the job of any other.

Etymology

From medieval Latin fungibilis, from the phrase fungi vice, 'to serve in place of', from fungi, 'to perform'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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interchangeable exchangeable substitutable equivalent

Antonyms

non-fungible unique

Related words

only same special common similar normal unique equal

Rhymes for fungible

Bible edible legible visible audible feasible tangible possible flexible gullible sensible terrible

See all rhymes for fungible →

Frequently asked questions

What does non-fungible mean?

Non-fungible means each item is one of a kind and cannot be swapped for an identical one at equal value. A specific painting is non-fungible; a pound coin is fungible. That is the idea behind an NFT, or non-fungible token, which records ownership of a unique digital item.

What is the difference between fungible and liquid?

Fungible describes whether units are interchangeable with each other. Liquid describes how quickly something can be turned into cash without losing value. Gold is highly fungible and fairly liquid; a house is neither.

Are all currencies fungible?

In principle yes, since one banknote spends like another of the same denomination. In practice fungibility can break down when units are traceable, which is why some cryptocurrency coins with tainted transaction histories are treated as worth less.

What is the meaning of fungible?

"fungible" (adjective) means able to be exchanged for another unit of the same kind without any difference in value, because every unit is identical in worth.

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only same special common similar normal unique equal