Penny: meaning, definitions and examples

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penny

[ˈpɛni ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

money

A penny is a small unit of currency in various countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and others. It is typically worth one one-hundredth of the respective currency.

Synonyms

cent, coin, pence.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
penny	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.
cent	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.
pence	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.
coin	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.

Examples of usage

I found a penny on the street.
She saved every penny she earned.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

British

In British English, 'penny' can also refer to a one-cent coin equivalent.

Synonyms

cent, coin, pence.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
penny	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
cent	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
pence	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
coin	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

Examples of usage

He gave me a British penny as a souvenir.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'penny' comes from the Old English term 'pening,' which has Germanic roots.
In some regions, the term 'penny' has been used to refer to various coins of different values throughout history.
The plural of penny can be 'pennies' or 'pence,' depending on the context.

Historical Origins

The first British penny was minted in the 8th century and was made of silver.
Originally, pennies were much larger and were often cut into smaller pieces for easier use in trade.
In 1857, the United States discontinued the half-cent coin, making the penny one of the smallest denominations still in circulation.

Cultural Significance

In various cultures, finding a penny is considered good luck, especially if found heads-up.
The phrase 'a penny saved is a penny earned' emphasizes the importance of saving money for future use.
Pennies have appeared in literature and popular culture, often symbolizing small amounts of money or thriftiness.

Science

Pennies are mostly made of copper-coated zinc, leading to interesting chemical properties such as oxidation.
The weight of a penny is 2.5 grams, making it one of the lightest coins in circulation, which affects how they are stored and transported.
Due to their small size, pennies contribute significantly to the concept of 'mass' in everyday economics and currency.

Pop Culture

The famous song 'Penny Lane' by The Beatles highlights everyday life in Liverpool, showcasing the coin’s relevance in music.
In film, pennies often represent childhood innocence, as seen in movies where children save pennies to achieve a goal.
The phrase 'penny for your thoughts' has made its way into popular phrases and conversations, indicating a desire to know what someone is thinking.

Translations

Translations of the word "penny" in other languages:

🇵🇹 centavo

🇮🇳 पैसा

🇩🇪 Pfennig

🇮🇩 sen

🇺🇦 пенні

🇵🇱 grosz

🇯🇵 ペニー

🇫🇷 centime

🇪🇸 penique

🇹🇷 kuruş

🇰🇷 페니

🇸🇦 بنس

🇨🇿 haléř

🇸🇰 halier

🇨🇳 便士

🇸🇮 penny

🇮🇸 peningur

🇰🇿 тиын

🇬🇪 პენი

🇦🇿 penny

🇲🇽 centavo

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,017 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
8014 shouting
8015 optic
8016 seismic
8017 penny
8018 newer
8019 urgency
8020 scarcity
...