penny

Syllabification: (pen·ny)

Pronunciation: /ˈpenē/

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Definition of penny

noun

1North American informal a one-cent coin equal to one hundredth of a dollar.
(plural for separate coins pennies, for a sum of money pence /pens/) (abbreviation: p) a British bronze coin and monetary unit equal to one hundredth of a pound.
(abbreviation: d) a former British coin and monetary unit equal to one twelfth of a shilling and one 240th of a pound.
(pennies) a small sum of money:in the current economic situation any chance to save a few pennies is welcome
(in biblical use) a denarius.

2 [with negative] (a penny) used for emphasis to denote no money at all:we didn’t get paid a penny

Phrases

be two (or ten) a penny: chiefly British be plentiful or easily obtained and consequently of little value.
pinch (or count or watch, one's) pennies: be careful about how much one spends:he is pinching pennies to save for a movie she’s been watching her pennies
in for a penny, in for a pound: used to express someone’s intention to complete an enterprise once it has been undertaken, however much time, effort, or money this entails.
look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves: proverb if you concentrate on saving small amounts of money, you’ll soon amass a large amount.
pennies from heaven: unexpected benefits, especially financial ones.
the penny dropped: informal, chiefly British used to indicate that someone has finally realized or understood something.
a penny for your thoughts: used to ask someone what they are thinking about.
a pretty penny: a considerable amount of money:old Sid charged a pretty penny for his services
spend a penny: see spend.

Origin:

Old English penig, penning, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch penning, German Pfennig, perhaps also to pawn² and (with reference to shape) pan¹

penny in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of penny in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

penny

noun

Phrases

be two (or ten) a penny

pinch (or count or watch, one's) pennies

in for a penny, in for a pound

look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves

pennies from heaven

the penny dropped

a penny for your thoughts

a pretty penny

spend a penny

Origin:

penny in other Oxford dictionaries

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