WordGarden.iodollar
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈɒlə/
US
- /ˈdɑlər/
Meanings
Noun
the basic monetary unit of the United States and several other countries
a bill or coin worth one dollar
Beyond the definition
This is the basic unit of money used in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is a simple way to talk about value in everyday life. You earn it from work, spend it on things you need or want, and save it for later.
The story behind the name is old and interesting. It comes from "thaler," the name of a silver coin once used in Europe. Over time, that word changed into "dollar" and became linked with trade and money in different parts of the world. In normal conversation, you might say something costs a few dollars, or that someone earns thousands of dollars a month.
The dollar is a unit of currency—a standard form of money—used in several countries around the world, most notably the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is represented globally by the symbol "$" and identified by codes like "USD" (for U.S. Dollar) or "CAD" (for Canadian Dollar). However, it wasn't always represented by paper bills and modern coins.
The name "dollar" originates from the German word "thaler," referring to "Joachimsthaler," a large silver coin minted in Bohemia in the 16th century. These thalers became a popular trade currency, eventually making their way to the Americas. The Spanish dollar (also known as the peso or "piece of eight") was widely used in early America before the U.S. officially adopted its own dollar in 1792.
Today, we talk about dollars in many contexts. We exchange dollars for other currencies when traveling abroad, keeping a close eye on the "exchange rate." We might say something is "worth a pretty penny"—meaning it is quite expensive and will cost a significant number of dollars. Conversely, a "dollar store" is a retail shop that sells items at very low prices, typically around one dollar each.
Figuratively, "a dollar" can also represent a small or symbolic amount of money—as in, "I wouldn't spend a dollar on that!" or to describe something inexpensive: "It only cost me a few dollars." Because of its status as the world's primary reserve currency, the "strength of the dollar" (its value compared to other currencies) is a major focus of financial news, as it impacts international trade and the global economy. Whether you're counting your savings or following economic trends, the "dollar" represents more than just cash—it is a global symbol of value and commerce.
Examples
- 1
Everyday price
This sandwich costs eight dollars.
- 2
Cash on hand
I only had a dollar in my pocket.
- 3
Ticket prices
The tickets were fifty dollars each.
- 4
Paper money
She paid with a twenty-dollar bill.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Discount shopping
We bought some cleaning supplies at a dollar store.
- Phrasedollar store
a shop that sells very cheap items
- 6
Large cost
The repairs cost thousands of dollars.
- 7
Good value
That camera was expensive, but it was worth every dollar.
- Phraseworth every dollar
worth the money you spent
- 8
High price
The company is asking top dollar for the building.
- Phrasetop dollar
the highest possible price
- 9
Currency value
A stronger dollar makes imported goods cheaper.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- dollarnoun
Forms
- dollarspluralnoun