twopence

or tup·pence

[ tuhp-uhns ]

noun

, plural two·pence, two·pen·ces

1. (used with a singular or plural verb) British. a sum of two pennies.
2. a bronze coin of the United Kingdom equal to two pennies: issued after decimalization in 1971.
3. a former copper coin of Great Britain, equal to two pennies, issued under George III.
4. a former silver coin of England, equal to two pennies: issued only as maundy money after 1662.
5. a trifle.

twopence

/ ˈtʌpəns /

noun

1. the sum of two pennies
2. used with a negative something of little value (in the phrase not care or give twopence )
3. a former British silver coin, now only coined as Maundy money

Word History and Origins

Origin of twopence¹

1400–50; late Middle English two pens; two, pence

Example Sentences

The Manchester City fan said he used to cycle to what was then the club's stadium, Maine Road, "pay twopence to leave my bike in someone's garden, and then get into the ground for sixpence, and, of course, sneak my camera in".

From BBC

I know the “real” scientists don’t give a twopence about Tenpenny’s claims.

From Washington Post

I paid twopence for the painting—half my weekly pocket money—and then asked the wrinkled shop woman what it was meant to be.

From Literature

Children who seemed to have escaped evacuation ran about on the grass shouting and laughing, the band struggled with music beyond its capabilities, and deck chairs still cost twopence.

From Literature

Noting that Cadbury, a storied British company, was bought in 2010 for nearly $20 billion by Kraft Foods, now called Mondelez International, he added: “I blame the Americans for this, and some creepy globalist neoliberal, private-equity-driven motive aimed at not offending anyone who has a twopence in their purse. I do rather wish Easter could still be called Easter.”

From Seattle Times