WordGarden.iopecuniary
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pɛkjˈuːnjəri/
US
- /pɛkˈjuniˌɛri/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to money or monetary value, especially in formal or legal contexts
Beyond the definition
Imagine a struggling artist who refuses to "sell out" - they might say they are not motivated by pecuniary gain, meaning they do not care much about making money. The word always relates to money or financial matters. It is not just about cash itself; it is about things connected to money - like profit, loss, interest, or responsibility. You would not describe a beautiful sunset this way, but you might talk about the pecuniary consequences of losing your job.
The word "pecuniary" describes something related to money or financial matters. It is a formal way of saying "financial" or "monetary." While people often talk about money directly, this word usually points to the profit, loss, benefit, or interest connected to money.
Think about legal disputes - they often involve pecuniary loss or pecuniary damages, meaning money that was lost or compensation for a financial loss. Or think about a conflict of interest: someone may have a pecuniary interest in a decision, meaning they could gain money from the outcome. The word is often used when the money-related result matters more than the money itself.
"Pecuniary" isn't used casually in everyday conversation. You wouldn't say "I need pecuniary help," you'd say "I need financial help." However, it appears frequently in legal documents, business reports, academic writing, and formal speeches where precision is important. It adds a layer of formality when discussing money-related issues.
For example: "The court awarded damages for the family's pecuniary loss." Or, "She stepped aside because she had a pecuniary interest in the deal."
So, if you encounter "pecuniary," remember that it belongs to the world of money - especially formal discussions about financial gain, loss, responsibility, or interest.
Examples
- 1
Business loss
The mistake caused the company no pecuniary loss, but it hurt its reputation.
- 2
Conflict of interest
Board members must declare any pecuniary interest before voting on a contract.
- Phrasepecuniary interest
a financial connection that could affect someone's decision
- 3
Legal damages
The court awarded pecuniary damages to cover the income she lost after the accident.
- Domainpecuniary damages
money ordered by a court for actual financial loss
- 4
Motivation
His reasons for staying were not pecuniary; he simply liked the work.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- pecuniary interest
- pecuniary loss
- pecuniary damages
Word family
- pecuniarily
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- pecuniaryadjective