spending money
19
2.0
- noun
:
dinero de bolsillo
- As we learned more about them, it was clear they were spending money to really enjoy life.
- spend money to buy
Examples
-
You could make a profit for yourself... and have a little spending money on the side.
-
You and your partner disagree on whether to spend money on a specific vacation package or on a new computer.
Academic text (2001) -
This may be our last opportunity to worry about spending money.
-
Well, I hate to say I told you so, but people just hate spending money on research.
-
Is some man providing me with a little extra spending money?
Fiction book (1999) -
For example, some feel guilty for spending money even when they really enjoyed what they bought.
Blog text (1) -
The huge increase in wages that came after the war made it possible for Americans to spend money on "quality of life" goods.
Academic text (2013) -
You shouldn't waste your spending money on an old fool like me.
-
Each participant is also encouraged to bring about $500 in spending money.
Academic text (1998) -
Here is your spending money for the week.
Synonyms
14
1.0
Small coins or money you do not need and carry with you
11
3.2
A small amount of money kept for minor office expenses
8
1.5
Parents give children a small amount of money regularly to buy small things
1
6.7
A small amount of money kept for treats or unplanned fun
1
6.1
A small amount of money kept for personal expenses
1
4.5
Extra cash you can spend
Antonyms
How Much
- Specialized
16
3.6
97
1.7
19
2.0
- UK
8
1.5
10
2.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'money kept to spend on small, incidental expenses or personal purchases' is directly derivable from combining 'spending' (the act of paying) with 'money' (currency), since it literally denotes money intended for spending. This compositional pattern is common cross-linguistically and follows straightforward English noun modification, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily understand it.
Etymology
The noun spending money comes from the simple picture of a small bag of cash someone keeps for treats, where spending shows the use and money is the cash kept. So spending money means money set aside 'to spend' on small personal purchases.