lucre

American  

[loo-ker] / ˈlu kər /

noun

1. monetary reward or gain; money.

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lucre British  

/ ˈluːkə /

noun

1. facetious money or wealth (esp in the phrase filthy lucre )

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Etymology

Origin of lucre

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin lucrum profit; akin to Old English lēan reward, German Lohn, Gothic, Old Norse laun

Example Sentences

All that lucre couldn’t override the prevailing sentiment among discontented voters who were ready, after nearly eight years of the uber-outsider Arnold Schwarzenegger, to embrace the tried-and-true experience of the reemergent Jerry Brown.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2025

And he's making it very clear that he will not be happy if they don't come across with plenty of lucre to fill his royal coffers.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2024

They’d rather keep selling expensive services to rich people, with the lucre and status that brings.

From Slate • Sep. 25, 2022

If he seems largely unchanged by success, it’s because winning Westminster is more glory than lucre.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 21, 2022

Then she tried a child’s story, which she could easily have disposed of if she had not been mercenary enough to demand filthy lucre for it.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott