penny

Smallest US denomination

A penny is a coin of small value—one cent in the United States, one hundredth of a pound in Britain.

The word often stands for trivial amounts: It won't cost you a penny.

A penny for your thoughts invites someone to share what they're thinking.

Penny-wise and pound-foolish describes saving small amounts while wasting large ones.

To pinch pennies is to be frugal.

A pretty penny is actually a large sum: That car must have cost a pretty penny.

coin

cent

Hundredth of a dollar

numismaticsStudy of currency
mintAromatic culinary herb
copperReddish-brown metallic element

denomination · circulation · change · coinage · nickel · dime · quarter · halfpenny · farthing · pence

luck

fountain

Water-spouting structure

tossLight, casual throw
wishYearned-for outcome
findLocate through effort

superstition · charm · omen · serendipity · fortune · sidewalk · pocket

value

pinch

Squeeze with fingertips

saveProtect from loss
scrimpSpend very sparingly
frugalSparing with resources

thrifty · cheap · worthless · trifle · pittance · bargain · tight · economize · stretch

idiom

thoughts

Mental reflections

prettyPleasing in appearance
heavenSky or bliss
savedKept from loss

Categories

currencydollar, euro, pound, yen, peso
moneydollar, euro, coin, cash, pound
coinsleu, silver eagles, nickels, ban, dimes
US currencydollar, dollar bills, dollars, nickel, ones
copper thingswire, pipe, tubing, coil, sheet
currenciesdollar, pound, euro, yen, peso

Opposites

monetary value

Basic U.S. currency unit

pound · fortune · million · billion · treasure

significance/worth (figurative)

Wealth or destiny

windfall · goldmine · king's ransom · treasure · jackpot

spending behavior (idiomatic)

pennyextravagance

Excessive, wasteful spending

splurge · lavishness · profligacy · spendthrift · prodigality

Phrases

penny candyInexpensive single-piece confections
worth every pennyJustifying its full cost
penny arcadesCoin-operated game establishments
penny pincherExcessively frugal person
pretty pennySubstantial amount of money
pinch penniesSpend as little as possible

Family

pennies, pennyworth, penny-farthing, penny stocks, penny farthing, pennywise, penny-pincher, pennywort, penny-wise

Familiarity: Top 2,000
Profile: Known to kids · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G