Topics / Money and Banking Vocabulary
Money and Banking Vocabulary in English
Cash, cards, bills, and the words for banks, loans, tax, and what things cost. 87 words, A1 to C1.
87 words
Cash and Banks
MoneyA1Coins and notes that you use to buy things.“I do not have much money.”CashB1Money in the form of notes and coins, not a card or cheque.“The shop only accepts cash.”CoinA2A small round piece of metal used as money.“I need a coin for the locker at the swimming pool.”CurrencyB2The money used in a country; also the state of being widely used or accepted.“The euro is the currency of many EU countries.”PoundA1The money used in Britain; also a unit of weight.“This book costs five pounds.”DollarA1Money used in the United States and some other countries.“This book costs ten dollars.”EuroA1Money used in many countries in Europe.“This sandwich costs three euros.”BankA1A place that keeps your money and can lend money.“I need to go to the bank.”AccountB1A record of money, or a report of an event.“She opened a bank account.”SaveA2To keep money or something else for later, or to stop someone being hurt.“She saves a little money each month.”DepositB1A sum paid in advance to reserve something; also money paid into a bank.“The landlord asked for five weeks of rent as a deposit.”WithdrawB2To take something back or out; also to leave a place or activity.“She had to withdraw from the oral after a medical note arrived.”TransferB1To move from one place, person, or job to another.“She transferred the photos to her laptop.”BalanceB1A state in which different things have equal or fair amounts.“Try to keep a balance between work and rest.”StatementB1Something you say or write that gives information or an opinion.“Her statement was clear and short.”CashpointB1A machine that gives you money from your bank account (UK; also ATM).“The campus cashpoint charges after 8pm; the post office does not.”Cash MachineB1A machine that gives you money from your bank account (UK; also a cashpoint or ATM).“The high-street cash machine is out of order; the post office counter still does cashback.”CardA1A piece of stiff paper, for example a birthday card or a bank card.“I sent her a birthday card.”Credit CardB1A plastic card from a bank that lets you buy now and pay later.“A credit card is not accepted for the canteen; use the cashless fob.”Debit CardB1A bank card that pays from your account at once, not on credit.“A debit card on the trip still needs the teacher’s cash protocol; contactless in the gift shop is not a free spend.”WalletA1A small flat case for paper money and cards, often kept in a pocket.“My wallet is in my jacket.”ChequeA2A printed paper that tells a bank to pay money from your account.“She paid the rent by cheque.”PayA2To give money for something.“How much did you pay for the book?”PaymentA2An amount of money you pay, or the act of paying.“The hotel takes card payment at reception.”SpendA2To use money to buy things, or to use time doing something.“We spent two hours in the museum.”
Bills and Borrowing
BillA1A piece of paper that shows how much you must pay.“Can we have the bill, please?”InvoiceB1A document that lists goods or work and asks for payment.“Please pay the invoice within fourteen days.”FeeB1An amount of money that you pay for a professional service or to do something.“The course fee includes all the materials.”ChargeB1The amount of money you have to pay for a service.“There is no extra charge for delivery.”CostB1The amount of money you need to pay for something.“The cost of living has increased.”PriceA2The amount of money you must pay.“The price of fruit has gone up.”AffordB1To have enough money or time for something.“We cannot afford a new car this year.”BudgetB1A plan of how much money you can spend, or the amount available.“The department has a small travel budget.”IncomeB1The money that a person or organisation receives, usually from work.“His income is not enough to rent a flat.”SalaryB1Money you receive regularly for doing a job.“The salary is paid at the end of the month.”WageB1Money paid for work, usually every week or by the hour.“The hourly wage for weekend work is slightly higher.”BonusB1Extra money or an extra advantage that you did not expect.“Staff received a bonus at the end of the year.”TaxA2Money you pay to the government from pay or shopping.“The price includes tax, so you pay this amount at the till.”VATB1Value added tax, a tax added to most UK goods and services.“The price on the shelf already includes VAT.”LoanB1Money that a bank or person lends you and that you must pay back.“She took out a student loan to cover her tuition fees.”DebtB2Money that you owe; also in debt (owing money).“Student debt shaped her choice of first job.”CreditA2A way of buying now and paying later; also praise for good work.“He paid by credit card at the hotel.”DebitB2A sum taken from a bank account; as a verb, to take that sum (opposite of credit).“A debit on the statement still needs the £ figure and the date, the accounts paper said.”OverdraftB2Money a bank lets you spend when your account is empty, which you must repay.“Quote the overdraft limit in the case, then the APR if given, the business paper said.”InterestA2A feeling of wanting to know more; also extra money from a bank.“She has a strong interest in local history museums.”MortgageB1A loan from a bank to buy a house, paid back over many years.“They took out a twenty-five-year mortgage on the flat.”RentA2To pay money to use something that belongs to someone else.“They rent a small flat.”RefundB1Money given back to you, for example when you return goods or a service fails.“If the train is more than fifteen minutes late, you can claim a refund.”DiscountA2A reduction in the usual price.“Students get a ten per cent discount.”InstalmentB1One of several payments for something; also one part of a story published or broadcast over time.“You can pay for the laptop in twelve monthly instalments.”OweA2To need to pay money back, or to feel you should thank someone.“I owe you ten pounds for the taxi.”LendA2To give something to someone for a short time, expecting it back.“Can you lend me a pencil?”BorrowA2To take something for a short time and then return it.“Can I borrow your pen?”BorrowerB1A person or organisation that borrows money.“First-time borrowers faced higher stress tests.”PenaltyA2A punishment, often money or a disadvantage, for breaking a rule.“There is a penalty if you cancel the ticket too late.”
Wealth and the Economy
CheapA2Costing little money.“These shoes were cheap but comfortable.”ExpensiveA2Costing a lot of money.“That hotel is too expensive for us.”RichA2Having a lot of money or valuable things.“It is a rich country.”PoorA2Having little money, or of low quality.“The family was too poor to buy new clothes.”WealthB1A large amount of money and valuable things.“The country’s wealth comes from oil.”WealthyB2Having a lot of money, property, or resources.“A wealthy catchment is not a representative sample for the inequality enquiry.”PovertyB2The state of being very poor (uncountable).“Child poverty rose in several regions last year.”BankruptB1Unable to pay debts; legally failed as a business.“The high-street chain went bankrupt after the rates rise.”BankruptcyB1The legal state of being unable to pay your debts.“The shop went into bankruptcy after the rent increase.”InflationB1A general rise in prices, so that money buys less.“Inflation made weekly food shops more expensive.”EconomyB1The system of money, jobs, and trade in a country.“Tourism is important to the economy.”EconomicB2Connected with trade, industry, and the money of a country.“The economic situation is improving.”FinanceB1The management of money, especially by a company or government.“She works in finance at a large bank.”FinancialB1Relating to money or the way it is managed.“She is having financial problems this year.”BankerB1A person who works in a senior job in a bank.“The banker refused the loan because the business plan was weak.”AccountantB1A person whose job is to keep or check financial records.“The small firm hired an accountant before the tax deadline.”AuditB2An official examination of accounts or processes.“The school had a financial audit last year.”InvestB1To put money, time, or effort into something in order to get a result later.“They invested in a new computer for the office.”InvestmentB1Money, time, or effort put into something in order to get a result later.“Buying the shop was a good investment.”InvestorB2A person or organisation that puts money into something in order to make a profit.“A private investor backed the studio after the arts grant was cut.”ProfitB2Money gained from a business after costs are paid.“Do not report turnover as profit in the accounts question.”LossB1The fact of no longer having something, or money spent more than earned.“The team’s loss surprised everyone.”PensionB1Money paid regularly by the state or a company after you stop work because of age.“He plans to retire next year and live on his pension.”InsuranceB1An agreement in which you pay money so that you receive money if something bad happens.“You need car insurance to drive in the UK.”ExchangeB1To give something and receive something else in return.“They exchanged phone numbers after the meeting.”TipA2Extra money for good service, or a useful piece of advice.“Leave a small tip if the service was good.”DonationB2Something given to help a person or organisation, especially money.“The hospital thanked the public for donations of equipment.”CharityB1An organisation that helps people or animals in need.“She gives money to a local charity.”GrantB1To officially give or allow something.“The council granted them permission to build.”ScholarshipC1Serious academic study; also money awarded to help a student study.“Scholarship is the cited method, not a compliment in the chair’s covering letter.”AllowanceB2Money given regularly for a purpose, or an amount of something you are allowed.“Students receive a small travel allowance.”WasteB1To use too much of something, or to use it badly.“Don’t waste time on that game.”