pecuniary

[ pi-kyoo-nee-er-ee ]

adjective

1. of or relating to money:

   pecuniary difficulties.

2. consisting of or given or exacted in money or monetary payments:

   pecuniary tributes.

3. (of a crime, violation, etc.) involving a money penalty or fine.

pecuniary

/ pɪˈkjuːnɪərɪ /

adjective

1. consisting of or relating to money
2. law (of an offence) involving a monetary penalty

Derived Forms

• peˈcuniarily, adverb

Other Words From

• pe·cu·ni·ar·i·ly [pi-kyoo-nee-, air, -i-lee], adverb
• nonpe·cuni·ary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pecuniary¹

First recorded in 1500–10; from Latin pecūniārius, derivative of pecūnia “property, money (wealth in cattle),” derivative of pecū “flock”; peculiar, fief ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pecuniary¹

C16: from Latin pecūniāris, from pecūnia money

Synonym Study

See financial.

Example Sentences

Dr. Anthony Fauci could vouch for the accuracy of Ibsen’s play, which depicts the way politicians and business leaders close ranks when a public health emergency threatens their pecuniary interests.

From Los Angeles Times

The state’s existing wrongful death statute calculates how much families are compensated based on pecuniary loss, or the potential earning power of the deceased person.

From Seattle Times

The Indian cricket system, despite all of its shortcomings, has been successful in providing top-class facilities, creating opportunities for competitive matches and substantial pecuniary rewards for players at every age group.

From BBC

As historian John Higham writes, Protestant elites of the era “grasped at social distinctions that were more than pecuniary,” including “the cult of genealogy.”

From National Geographic

Like Gresham’s law, which holds that bad money drives out good, today’s bad shyster pollsters are driving out good pollsters for partisan and pecuniary reasons.

From Washington Times