Meaning & use

yen

noun·Everyday

The basic monetary unit of Japan, used in prices and everyday transactions there.

See it in a sentence

We exchanged our dollars for yen as soon as we landed in Tokyo.

The yen weakened against the dollar after the central bank's announcement.

A note on using this word

Do not confuse yen the Japanese currency with the informal noun yen meaning a craving or strong desire.

Words with a similar meaning

This term is best learned through its definition and examples.

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

A strong desire or urge to do or have something.

After years abroad, she had a sudden yen to move back home.

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