cash

¹

[ kash ]

noun

1. money in the form of coins or banknotes, especially that issued by a government.
2. money or an equivalent, as a check, paid at the time of making a purchase.

verb (used with object)

1. to give or obtain cash for (a check, money order, etc.).
2. Cards.
   1. to win (a trick) by leading an assured winner.
   2. to lead (an assured winner) in order to win a trick:

      He cashed his ace and led the queen.

verb phrase

1. 1. to turn in and get cash for (one's chips), as in a gambling casino.
   2. to end or withdraw from a business agreement; convert one's assets into cash.
   3. Slang. to die:

      After her parents cashed in, she lived with her grandmother.

2. to profit from; use to one's advantage:

   swindlers who cash in on the credulity of the public.

cash

²

[ kash ]

noun

, plural cash.

1. any of several low-denomination coins of China, India, and the East Indies, especially a Chinese copper coin.

Cash

³

[ kash ]

noun

1. John Johnny, 1932–2003, U.S. country-and-western singer, musician, and composer.

cash

¹

/ kæʃ /

noun

1. banknotes and coins, esp in hand or readily available; money or ready money
2. immediate payment, in full or part, for goods or services (esp in the phrase cash down )
3. modifier of, for, or paid by cash

   a cash transaction

4. the cash
   a checkout counter

verb

1. tr to obtain or pay ready money for

   to cash a cheque

cash

²

/ kæʃ /

noun

1. any of various Chinese, Indonesian, or Indian coins of low value

Cash

³

/ kæʃ /

noun

1. CashJohnny19322003MUSMUSIC: country singerMUSIC: guitaristMUSIC: songwriter Johnny. 1932–2003, US country-and-western singer, guitarist, and songwriter. His recordings include the hits "I Walk the Line" (1956), "Ring of Fire" (1963), "A Boy named Sue" (1969), and the American Recordings series of albums (1994–2003)

Derived Forms

• ˈcashable, adjective

Other Words From

• casha·ble adjective
• casha·bili·ty noun
• casha·ble·ness noun
• un·cashed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cash¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French casse, from Old Italian cassa, from Latin capsa “(cylindrical) case (for books)”; cashier ¹

Origin of cash²

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Portuguese caixa, from Tamil kācu the name of a copper coin, from Sanskrit karṣa a weight (of precious metal)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cash¹

C16: from Old Italian cassa money box, from Latin capsa case ²

Origin of cash²

C16: from Portuguese caixa, from Tamil kāsu, from Sanskrit karsa weight of gold or silver

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cash in one's chips, Slang. to die.

More idioms and phrases containing cash

• cold cash

Example Sentences

In 2023, Auty was convicted of smuggling millions of pounds of criminal cash from London to Dubai, and sentenced to 42 months in prison.

From BBC

In the real world, he's a failed businessman who repeatedly filed for bankruptcy after losses so huge that even decades of fraud and two cash infusions amounting to nearly a billion dollars couldn't safeguard him.

From Salon

At last month's Budget, the government said it planned to "increase the core government grant for police forces," although it did not specify whether this would be in cash terms or taking account of inflation.

From BBC

Many developing countries at the talks are calling for more cash from richer nations to help them pay for their strategies to tackle climate change.

From BBC

But moving to New York, and getting an apartment in New York, wiped out our cash savings.

From Salon

Related Words

• buck
• currency
• investment
• note
• payment
• refund
• reserve
• security
• stock
• supply