greenback

[ green-bak ]

noun

1. a U.S. legal-tender note, printed in green on the back since the Civil War, originally issued against the credit of the country and not against gold or silver on deposit.

greenback

/ ˈɡriːnˌbæk /

noun

1. informal.
   an inconvertible legal-tender US currency note originally issued during the Civil War in 1862
2. slang.
   a dollar bill

Word History and Origins

Origin of greenback¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; green + back ¹

Example Sentences

Some departments, like the office that issues and renews passports, also accept only greenbacks.

From Seattle Times

The higher returns on dollar investments have pushed the value of the greenback higher against other currencies.

From Seattle Times

The dollar index , a measure of the greenback against six major currencies, was last at 103.17, a whisker above the 103.07 it touched in Asia trade, the lowest since Aug. 31.

From Reuters

The dollar index , a measure of the greenback against a basket of currencies, fell to 103.07, its lowest since Aug. 31.

From Reuters

The dollar index , a measure of the greenback against a basket of currencies, was last at 103.16, hanging around its lowest since Aug. 31.

From Reuters

Related Words

• currency