Meaning & use
cashing
Last updated
“cashing” is a form of “cash”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Exchanging a check or similar paper for its value in money.
Grammar: Takes an object: she is cashing a check.
Patterns
- cashing a check
- cashing something at a bank
He is cashing his paycheck at the bank.
Cashing a check without ID can be hard.
She spent the morning cashing traveler's checks.
verbphrasal verbinformal
Taking advantage of something, usually with in or in on.
Grammar: Used with in or in on: cashing in on fame.
Patterns
- cashing in on something
- cashing in something
Shops are cashing in on the holiday rush.
He is cashing in his air miles.
She is cashing in on her sudden fame.
Word forms
| base form | cash |
|---|---|
| third person singular | cashes |
| past tense | cashed |
| past participle | cashed |
Common combinations
- cashing a check
- Cashing a check takes a minute.
- cashing in on
- They are cashing in on the trend.
- cashing out
- He is cashing out his savings.
- check cashing
- Check cashing stores charge fees.
- cashing in chips
- The player is cashing in his chips.
Synonyms and how they differ
- redeeming
- Redeeming also covers vouchers and coupons, while cashing mainly refers to checks.
- exchanging
- Exchanging is broader and covers any swap, even currencies.
- profiting
- Profiting from something is similar to cashing in on it but sounds more formal.
- capitalizing
- Capitalizing on is a formal way to say cashing in on.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: cashing or cachin'?
cashing vs cachin'
Not an English word; do not confuse with cache, which means to hide or store something.
Practice
Maria is ______ her paycheck at the bank this afternoon.
Choose one answer.
Cashing a check means exchanging it for money. Caching means storing data.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cashing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.