money-order
Definition
- Noun:
- A "money order" is a financial instrument, typically purchased from a post office, bank, or other authorized agent, that allows the sender to transfer a specified amount of money to a named recipient. It functions as a secure alternative to cash or personal checks, especially for sending money through the mail.
Usage Examples
- (She purchased a prepaid financial document to send money securely.)
- (The organization requires a guaranteed form of payment for contributions.)
- (He mailed a prepaid financial instrument as a gift.)
Advanced Usage
"to cash a money order": to exchange a money order for its face value in cash.
- The recipient can cash the money order at any bank or post office. (The person named on the document can receive the money.)
"money order fraud": the illegal use of counterfeit or stolen money orders to deceive victims.
- Authorities warned about money order fraud targeting online sellers. (A scam involving fake financial documents.)
Variants and Related Words
Money-order (n): a hyphenated variant of the same term, sometimes used in older or formal writing.
- He deposited the money-order into his account. (A written financial order for a specific sum.)
Postal order (n): a type of money order issued specifically by a postal service.
- A postal order is a convenient way to send money abroad. (A money order from the post office.)
Synonyms
- Draft: a written order for payment of a specified sum, often issued by a bank.
- Bank check: a check drawn by a bank on its own funds, similar in function to a money order.
Related Idioms
- Money order does not have common idioms, but it is often used in the phrase "by money order" to describe a method of payment.
- Payment must be made by money order or bank draft. (The transaction requires a secure financial instrument.)