Penny: meaning, definitions and examples

Similar to the first definition, but also used informally or diminutively in various contexts. Sometimes may have a slightly old-fashioned or quaint connotation.

• I still have a lucky penny.
• He didn't care a penny about the rules.

Used mainly in the US and other countries to denote a unit of currency equal to one one-hundredth of a dollar.

• The candy costs fifty cents.
• She paid twenty-five cents for the gumball.

The plural form of 'penny' used in the UK, specifically when referring to amounts over one. It is used to describe multiple units of currency equal to one one-hundredth of a pound.

• The book costs forty-five pence.
• They raised a few pence for charity.

Refers to a piece of hard material that is used as money, including all values and denominations, not only specific units like 'penny' or 'cent'.

• She has a rare coin collection.
• He dropped a coin into the vending machine.

Use 'penny' when referring to a single unit of currency in the United States that is worth one cent. It's also used in the UK to refer to one pence (plural: pence).

• He found a penny on the sidewalk
• In the UK, they gave me a penny as change

Use 'cent' when making a reference to any monetary unit in the United States that consists of one-hundredth of a dollar. It is more general compared to 'penny'.

• The candy costs fifty cents
• She saved every cent she earned

Use 'pence' when referring to the plural form of 'penny' in the context of British currency.

• The item costs thirty pence
• They gave me two pence in change

Use 'coin' when talking about metal money in general, regardless of its value or denomination.

• He has a collection of rare coins
• Please insert a coin to start the machine