ESL Vocabulary for Money
Money
The following page has learning games and example sentences using the following 20 words from the "money" category:Memory Game
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Example Sentences
to borrow
to obtain something, typically money or an item, temporarily with the intention of returning or repaying it later
Easy Examples
- To borrow means to ask for something, like money or a toy, with a promise to give it back.
- I can borrow your crayons for coloring and return them later.
- When you borrow, you use something temporarily.
Harder Examples
- She asked to borrow $20 from her friend to buy a birthday gift.
- Borrowing money from a bank usually involves paying interest.
- He promised to borrow his neighbor's lawnmower and return it by the weekend.
to donate
to give or contribute money, goods, or services to a charitable cause or organization without expecting anything in return
Easy Examples
- To donate means to give something, like toys or clothes, to help people who need it.
- We donate our old clothes to kids who don't have many clothes.
- Donating is a kind way to share and help others.
Harder Examples
- They decided to donate their old clothes to a local shelter.
- Donating to a charity can make a positive impact on the community.
- He regularly donates a portion of his income to support educational programs.
to exchange
to trade one thing for another, often involving currency or goods with equivalent value
Easy Examples
- To exchange means to swap or trade one thing for another.
- We can exchange stickers so you have one of mine, and I have one of yours.
- Exchanging is like sharing with a twist.
Harder Examples
- She exchanged her foreign currency for dollars at the airport exchange booth.
- Currency exchange rates can fluctuate daily in the foreign exchange market.
- He wanted to exchange his old smartphone for a newer model.
wallet
a small, flat pocket-sized case or container used to carry money, cards, identification, and other personal items
Easy Examples
- A wallet is a small pocket thing where you keep your money and cards.
- I put my allowance in my wallet, so it doesn't get lost.
- A wallet keeps your money safe and handy.
Harder Examples
- She reached into her wallet to pay for the groceries at the checkout.
- A wallet is commonly used to store credit cards, driver's licenses, and cash.
- He realized he had left his wallet at home and couldn't pay for lunch.
ATM
an automated teller machine, a self-service banking terminal that allows users to withdraw cash, check balances, and perform other banking transactions
Easy Examples
- An ATM is a money machine where you can get cash from your bank account.
- Mom uses the ATM to get money for groceries.
- ATMs are like money magic machines.
Harder Examples
- She went to the ATM to withdraw money for the weekend trip.
- ATMs are available 24/7 for convenient access to cash.
- He forgot his ATM PIN and had to visit the bank to reset it.
cash
physical money in the form of banknotes and coins that can be used for transactions and purchases
Easy Examples
- Cash is real money, like coins and paper bills.
- I paid for my candy with cash I had in my pocket.
- Cash is what you use to buy things.
Harder Examples
- She paid for the taxi ride with cash because the card reader was not working.
- Carrying too much cash can be risky, so some people prefer digital payments.
- He received cash as a gift for his birthday and decided to save it.
cheque book
a booklet of checks or cheques that a bank account holder can use to make payments or withdrawals
Easy Examples
- A cheque book is a special book with papers you can write checks on to pay for things.
- Dad uses a cheque book to pay for our bills, like electricity and rent.
- A cheque book is like a special notebook for payments.
Harder Examples
- She wrote a cheque from her cheque book to pay the monthly rent.
- Some businesses still accept payments by cheque, although digital options are more common.
- He ordered a new cheque book from his bank when he ran out of checks.
coins
small, metallic, usually circular pieces of currency with a specific denomination, used for making smaller transactions
Easy Examples
- Coins are small, round pieces of metal that you can use to buy things.
- I found a few shiny coins on the ground!
- Coins are like little treasures.
Harder Examples
- She dropped some coins into the charity donation box on her way out.
- Collecting rare coins is a hobby for some numismatists.
- He searched his pockets for spare coins to pay for parking.
counterfeit
fake or imitation money or goods designed to deceive and appear genuine
Easy Examples
- Counterfeit means fake or not real, like fake money or fake toys.
- Using counterfeit money is wrong because it's not real money.
- Always use real things, not counterfeit ones.
Harder Examples
- She accidentally received a counterfeit $20 bill from a store.
- Detecting counterfeit currency requires careful examination of security features.
- He was warned to be cautious when buying electronics online to avoid counterfeit products.
credit card
a plastic card issued by a financial institution that allows cardholders to make purchases on credit, with a specified credit limit
Easy Examples
- A credit card is a special card you can use to pay for things and pay later.
- Grown-ups use a credit card to buy things online or in stores.
- A credit card is like a special shopping card.
Harder Examples
- She used her credit card to book a flight for her upcoming vacation.
- Credit card holders are responsible for repaying the amount spent, often with interest.
- He applied for a rewards credit card to earn cashback on his purchases.
debt
an obligation to repay money, goods, or services that have been borrowed or owed to another party
Easy Examples
- Debt is when you owe someone money because you borrowed it and need to give it back.
- When you take a loan for a bike, you have to repay the money later; that's debt.
- Debt is like a promise to return money.
Harder Examples
- She was working hard to pay off her student loan debt.
- Managing and reducing debt is an important part of financial planning.
- He decided to consolidate his debts into a single monthly payment for easier management.
invest
to allocate money with the expectation of generating income or profit over time, typically through assets or ventures
Easy Examples
- To invest is like planting money so it can grow into more money.
- People invest their money in businesses and stocks to make more money.
- Investing is a way to make your money work for you.
Harder Examples
- She chose to invest in stocks and bonds to build long-term wealth.
- Investing in a diversified portfolio can help mitigate risks.
- He consulted a financial advisor to make informed investment decisions.
loan
a sum of money borrowed from a lender, often with interest, that must be repaid within a specified period
Easy Examples
- A loan is when someone lends you money, and you promise to give it back later.
- If you want a bike and don't have enough money, you can ask for a loan.
- A loan helps you get things you need now and pay later.
Harder Examples
- She applied for a personal loan to cover unexpected medical expenses.
- Mortgages and auto loans are common types of secured loans.
- He negotiated the terms of the loan with the bank to secure a lower interest rate.
mortgage
a specific type of loan used to finance the purchase of real estate, with the property serving as collateral
Easy Examples
- A mortgage is like a loan for buying a house, and you pay it back over many years.
- Grown-ups get a mortgage to buy a home for their family.
- A mortgage is a special kind of loan for houses.
Harder Examples
- They were excited to close on their mortgage and move into their new home.
- Choosing the right mortgage lender is crucial for homeownership.
- He refinanced his mortgage to take advantage of lower interest rates.
notes
paper currency or banknotes, often issued by governments and central banks, with specific denominations
Easy Examples
- Notes are paper money, like dollar bills or euro banknotes.
- I have some colorful notes in my wallet for buying ice cream.
- Notes are like special paper money.
Harder Examples
- She counted the stack of notes before depositing them at the bank.
- Large denominations of notes are typically used for high-value transactions.
- He withdrew a mix of notes from the ATM for various expenses.
piggy bank
a small, often decorative container, usually in the shape of a pig, used by children to save coins or small amounts of money
Easy Examples
- A piggy bank is a fun container where you save your coins and small bills.
- I put my extra coins in my piggy bank to save for a big toy.
- A piggy bank is like a money-saving friend.
Harder Examples
- She encouraged her son to save his allowance in a piggy bank for future goals.
- Teaching kids about saving money can start with a piggy bank.
- He shook the piggy bank to see how much money he had saved.
poor
having a limited income or financial resources, often struggling to meet basic needs and expenses
Easy Examples
- Poor means not having a lot of money or things.
- Some families are poor and need help to get what they need.
- Helping those who are poor is a good and kind thing to do.
Harder Examples
- She grew up in a poor neighborhood and worked hard to improve her financial situation.
- Supporting organizations that help the poor is a way to give back to the community.
- He empathized with the challenges faced by poor families and volunteered to assist them.
rich
having substantial wealth, assets, or financial resources that provide a comfortable and affluent lifestyle
Easy Examples
- Rich means having a lot of money and nice things.
- Some people are rich and can buy lots of toys and games.
- Being rich means having plenty of money to enjoy life.
Harder Examples
- They admired the philanthropic efforts of the rich entrepreneur who donated to various causes.
- Managing wealth effectively is essential for the financial security of the rich.
- He aspired to become rich through entrepreneurship and investments.
safe
secure and protected from harm, danger, or theft, often used to describe places or investments
Easy Examples
- Safe means protected and free from harm or danger.
- We keep important things in a safe place where they won't get lost.
- A safe is like a secret treasure chest.
Harder Examples
- She kept her important documents in a fireproof safe at home.
- Investors seek safe assets during economic uncertainties.
- He chose a safe location to store his valuable belongings.
salary
a regular fixed payment or earnings received by an employee for their work or services, typically on a monthly or bi-weekly basis
Easy Examples
- A salary is the money grown-ups earn for their job, and they get it regularly, like every month.
- Mom gets her salary at the end of each month for her hard work at the office.
- A salary helps grown-ups take care of their family and home.
Harder Examples
- She negotiated a higher salary during her job interview and accepted the offer.
- Salaries can vary significantly based on factors like experience and location.
- He was pleased with his annual salary increase and decided to save more for the future.
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