Finance: meaning, definitions and examples

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finance

[ˈfaɪnæns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

business

The management of large amounts of money, especially by governments or large companies. It involves activities such as investing, borrowing, lending, and budgeting.

Synonyms

capital, funding, monetary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
finance	Finance refers to the management of large amounts of money, especially by governments or large companies. It encompasses activities, processes, and systems involved in managing finances. He works in the finance department The finance minister announced the new budget
funding	Funding refers to money provided, especially by an organization or government, for a particular purpose like research, projects, or startups. It is often used when discussing sources of financial support. The project is seeking funding from investors They received funding for their new educational program
capital	Capital refers to wealth in the form of money or assets owned by a person or organization, available for a purpose such as starting a company or investing. It is often used in business and economic contexts. We need to raise more capital to expand our operations She invested a lot of her capital in real estate
monetary	Monetary relates to money or currency, particularly in the context of policies or systems set by governments or financial institutions. It is often used in a formal or economic setting. The central bank's monetary policy affects interest rates There are strict monetary controls in place

Examples of usage

He studied finance in college and now works for a major investment firm.
The finance department is responsible for overseeing the company's financial transactions.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

business

To provide funding for a person or enterprise.

Synonyms

back, fund, sponsor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
finance	This word is used in a formal context to describe the provision or management of large sums of money, typically for projects or businesses. They need to finance the new infrastructure project The company decided to finance the startup
fund	This word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe providing money for a specific purpose, often for initiatives, projects, or organizations. They need to fund the research project We will fund the community program next year
sponsor	This word is typically used when a person or organization provides financial support for an event, activity, or individual, often in exchange for advertising or association benefits. The company decided to sponsor the local football team Many businesses sponsor marathons and similar events
back	This word can be used informally to describe supporting someone or something, often with money. It can also mean supporting with other kinds of help, like approval or endorsement. She agreed to back the charity event The investors are backing the new app development

Examples of usage

The bank agreed to finance the construction project.
She needed a loan to finance her new business.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Latin 'finis', meaning 'end' or 'settle', reflecting how finances settle accounts.
It came into English during the 14th century, initially referring to the resolution of debts.
In French, 'financer' means 'to pay', highlighting the word's connection to payment and economics.

History

Ancient Mesopotamia was among the first to record financial transactions using clay tablets for trade.
Modern central banking was pioneered in the 17th century by the Bank of England, which helped regulate currencies and loans.
The establishment of stock exchanges in Europe during the 16th century revolutionized how companies raised funds from the public.

Pop Culture

Movies like 'The Big Short' and 'Wall Street' dramatically portray the ups and downs of financial markets.
Popular video games, such as 'Monopoly' and 'SimCity', involve finance and economic strategies to succeed.
Many social media influencers focus on personal finance tips, making money management more relatable to younger audiences.

Science

Behavioral finance studies how psychological factors affect investors’ reactions to market fluctuations.
Mathematics plays a crucial role in finance, with concepts like compounding interest driving investment strategies.
Recent advances in technology have led to the rise of algorithms and artificial intelligence in trading, revolutionizing financial markets.

Literature

Numerous classic novels, such as 'The Great Gatsby', explore themes of wealth, class, and the human desire for financial success.
Self-help books on personal finance, like 'Rich Dad Poor Dad', have sold millions and significantly influenced financial literacy.
Poets like T.S. Eliot have incorporated themes of money and its impact on human relationships in their works.

Translations

Translations of the word "finance" in other languages:

🇵🇹 finança

🇮🇳 वित्त

🇩🇪 Finanz

🇮🇩 keuangan

🇺🇦 фінанси

🇵🇱 finanse

🇯🇵 金融 (kin'yū)

🇫🇷 finance

🇪🇸 finanza

🇹🇷 finans

🇰🇷 재정 (jaejeong)

🇸🇦 مالية (mālīa)

🇨🇿 finance

🇸🇰 financie

🇨🇳 金融 (jīnróng)

🇸🇮 financa

🇮🇸 fjármál

🇰🇿 қаржы

🇬🇪 ფინანსები (p'inansebi)

🇦🇿 maliyyə

🇲🇽 finanza

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,796, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2793 tender
2794 accused
2795 suggestion
2796 finance
2797 print
2798 minority
2799 unity
...