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money-spinner

money-spinner

4.9
A business or product that makes a lot of money
  • noun
  • /ˈmʌniˌspɪnər/
  • UK
translation icon : generador de dinero
  • The new smartphone app quickly became a popular money-spinner for the developers, generating steady income.

Examples

  • The arts industry in Australia is one of the nation's most lucrative international money-spinners and provides vast career opportunities, even in a small center like Darwin.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Because when publishers are not busy curating content, such a vital part of their jobs, they are pouncing on whatever seems likely to be the next big money-spinner.

    Blog text (5)
  • A real money spinner, that.

  • Not a bad little money-spinner, one of these car parks.

  • Not sure whether I will be able to turn my first humor/satire blog into a money-spinner.

    Blog text (34)
  • UAVs are one of the biggest money-spinners for Israel's defense industry, and India, which is engaged in a massive multiyear rearmament program, is a key customer.

    Blog text (1)
  • Her handmade jewelry business turned into a money-spinner, attracting customers from all over town.

  • The online course proved to be a lucrative money-spinner, drawing in thousands of students each month.

Synonyms

cash cow
vsmoney-spinner
18 3.8

A business or product that gives steady high income with little work

provides steady profit but not necessarily with low effort
golden goose
vsmoney-spinner
  • Informal
9 4.4

A thing or business that keeps making a lot of money

means bringing profit but may not imply continuous huge wealth
moneymaker
vsmoney-spinner
8 4.1

A project or business that earns a lot of money regularly

is broader, meaning any venture that brings large or steady profit
money machine
vsmoney-spinner
3 4.1

A business or product that makes a lot of money easily

describes profit earning but without the implied ease or low risk
money printer
vsmoney-spinner
  • Informal
6.8

A way to get easy regular money with little work

is similar but does not suggest endless or effortless gains

Antonyms

695 2.1

Money lost by a business or person

557 1.3

Not reaching what was planned or expected

How Profitable

gold mine
  • Informal
21 3.2
cash cow
18 3.8
money-spinner
  • UK
4.9
moneymaker
8 4.1
to break even
27 3.3
loss
695 2.1

Surface Forms

money-spinner singular

Morphology

money-spinner = money + spinner (semi-transparent) = money + spinner

The parts 'money' and 'spinner' are form‑transparent, but 'spinner' is used metaphorically as 'one that generates', so the compound's idiomatic sense ('profitable venture') may not be fully obvious to all learners.

Etymology

Money-spinner joins money and spinner, with spin meaning 'to turn', so imagine a machine that keeps 'spinning' out coins. So a money-spinner is something (a business, product, or project) that makes a lot of money or brings in steady profit.