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Glite Dictionary
filthy lucre

filthy lucre

1 9.8
Money that people get by dishonest or wrong actions
  • noun
  • /ˈfɪlθi ˈluːkər/
  • Archaic
translation icon : dinero sucio
  • This ain't no time for filthy lucre.

I've got the idea of being this, this beautiful soul who rises above, you know, filthy lucre and pleasure seeking or egoism or anything like that.

Examples

  • She turned away from filthy lucre, choosing instead to lead a life of honesty and integrity.

  • Politicians who pursue filthy lucre frequently betray the public trust.

  • Given that, I have one question: Where the hell's all that big pharma filthy lucre?

    Blog text (10)

  • Yep, right-o, a true American speaks the word of the Lord of Baal and filthy lucre.

    Blog text (22)

  • I've got the idea of being this, this beautiful soul who rises above, you know, filthy lucre and pleasure seeking or egoism or anything like that.

    Gregory B. Sadler - That Philosophy Guy

  • Many people struggle with the temptation of filthy lucre, often sacrificing their integrity for money.

Synonyms

dirty money
vsfilthy lucre
  • NSFW
12 4.3

Money that someone gets through illegal or dishonest actions

also covers money that is morally wrong even when not strictly illegal
lucre
vsfilthy lucre
  • Archaic
3 9.9

Money gained in a dishonest or unfair way

is stronger and shows clear moral wrongness rather than mere doubt
fast buck
vsfilthy lucre
  • Slang
3 7.9

Money earned quickly, often by dishonest or easy ways

focuses on immoral or wrong gain regardless of speed or ease
pelf
vsfilthy lucre
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Money gained by dishonest or shameful means

is used for money seen as morally wrong rather than merely shameful
dubious pelf
vsfilthy lucre
  • Archaic
9.9

Money gained in a dishonest or illegal way

asserts definite moral wrongdoing rather than mere suspicion about its origin
rake-off
vsfilthy lucre
  • Literature
8.9

A small secret share taken from money or profits by dishonest people

refers more broadly to dishonest gains, not only a corrupt share

How Dishonest

blood money
6 7.9
dirty money
  • NSFW
12 4.3
filthy lucre
  • Archaic
1 9.8
ill-gotten
12 7.7
earnings
309 2.3

Surface Forms

filthy lucre singular
filthy lucre plural

Morphology

filthy + lucre

Both constituents directly contribute to the meaning: 'filthy' (morally dirty) + 'lucre' (money, often with negative connotation) yields 'money obtained in a morally wrong way', so the overall sense is compositionally derivable. Although 'lucre' and the collocation are somewhat literary/archaic, a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the idiomatic meaning.

Etymology

Filthy lucre puts filthy (dirty) together with lucre (an old word for money). One popular story says it comes from the Bible and the idea of money made dirty by dishonest actions, so it now means 'money gained in a dishonest or morally wrong way'.