noun
Very common
Washington
WO-shihng-tuhn
Washington (noun) means informal term for a U.S. one-dollar bill, which carries a portrait of George Washington. Example: “He handed the cashier a couple of washingtons for the coffee.”
noun
1
Informal term for a U.S. one-dollar bill, which carries a portrait of George Washington.
"Joseph had missed the feeling of carrying a phat bankroll, one not padded with Washingtons and topped with Grants."
— Kehinde Garrison, American Delinquents (2010)
"He handed the cashier a couple of washingtons for the coffee."
How to use Washington
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlang for a one-dollar bill, from the portrait printed on it.
When to use it
Informal, mostly used in casual American speech about money.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Washingtons
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He handed the cashier a couple of _____ for the coffee.
Etymology
Named after George Washington, whose surname came from an English town, Washington in Tyne and Wear, itself from an Old English place name meaning roughly "the settlement of Hwæssa's people."
Related words
Rhymes for Washington
Lexington
Arlington
Remington
Eddington
Ellington
Wellington
Darlington
Huntington
Kensington
Harrington
Carrington
Paddington
See all rhymes for Washington →
Frequently asked questions
What does “Washington” mean?
The word “Washington” means informal term for a U.S. one-dollar bill, which carries a portrait of George Washington. In plain terms, slang for a one-dollar bill, from the portrait printed on it.
How do you pronounce “Washington”?
“Washington” is pronounced WO-shihng-tuhn (/ˈwɑʃɪŋtən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Washington” in a sentence?
Here is “Washington” used in a sentence: “He handed the cashier a couple of washingtons for the coffee.”
What part of speech is “Washington”?
“Washington” is a noun.
Where does the word “Washington” come from?
The word “Washington” comes from Old English. Named after George Washington, whose surname came from an English town, Washington in Tyne and Wear, itself from an Old English place name meaning roughly "the settlement of Hwæssa's people.".
Is “Washington” a common word?
“Washington” is a very common word in modern English.
Why is a dollar bill called a 'Washington'?
Because the United States one-dollar bill carries a portrait of George Washington, the country's first president. The nickname simply borrows the face on the note, much as a hundred-dollar bill is called a 'Benjamin' after Benjamin Franklin. It refers specifically to the single dollar, not larger denominations.
What is the difference between a Washington and a Benjamin?
Both are slang named after the face on the note. A Washington is a one-dollar bill, bearing George Washington's portrait. A Benjamin is a one-hundred-dollar bill, bearing Benjamin Franklin's. So a single Benjamin equals a hundred Washingtons — the terms mark opposite ends of the everyday cash range.
What are other slang words for a dollar?
The most common is 'buck.' You'll also hear 'single' for a one-dollar bill specifically, plus 'greenback' and 'one.' Larger amounts have their own slang, like 'grand' for a thousand. 'Washington' is one of the less common terms, tied directly to the portrait on the note.
How much is a Washington worth?
Exactly one US dollar. The term is just an informal nickname for the one-dollar bill and carries no special or collectible value beyond its face value — unless the note itself is rare. For ordinary bills, a Washington is worth a single dollar and nothing more.
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