Meaning & use
currency
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Meanings
nouncountable or uncountable
The system of money used in a particular country, or the coins and banknotes themselves.
Grammar: Can be countable (several currencies) or uncountable (foreign currency).
Patterns
- foreign currency
- a strong currency
- exchange currency
- the local currency
The dollar is the official currency of the United States.
You'll need to change some money into the local currency when you arrive.
The euro is used as currency in many European countries.
noununcountable
The state of being generally accepted, believed, or in common use.
Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'gain currency' or 'give currency to'.
Patterns
- gain currency
- give currency to something
- the currency of an idea
The rumor gained currency after it appeared in several newspapers.
The idea that we should work less is gaining currency among young people.
His theories have little currency in modern science.
Word forms
| plural | currencies |
|---|
Common combinations
- foreign currency
- The bank charges a fee for exchanging foreign currency.
- gain currency
- The belief that the earth is flat has gained currency online.
- local currency
- It's cheaper to pay in the local currency than in dollars.
- currency exchange
- I need to find a currency exchange before the banks close.
Synonyms and how they differ
- money
- Money is a general term for coins, notes, and funds, while currency refers specifically to the money system of a country.
- cash
- Cash means physical money like notes and coins, not the whole monetary system.
Word family
Commonly confused: currency or currant?
currency vs currant
A currant is a small dried grape or a berry, while currency is the money system.
Practice
What does 'currency' mean in the sentence: 'The idea that robots will take over jobs has gained currency'?
Choose one answer.
'Gained currency' means became widely accepted or believed. The other options relate to money, which is not the meaning here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “currency”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.