pennies

A shopkeeper counts out a handful of pennies as change for a customer.

Definition

1. Noun (plural form of "penny"):
   • Coins of low value: "pennies" refers to multiple coins of the smallest denomination in a currency system, especially in British or American contexts. In the UK, a penny (plural "pence" for value, "pennies" for individual coins) is worth one hundredth of a pound. In the US, a penny is worth one cent.
   • Small amounts of money: "pennies" can also mean trivial or insignificant sums of money, often used in expressions about frugality or low cost.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He counted the pennies in his pocket. (He counted the individual one-cent or one-penny coins.)
  • The charity collected thousands of pennies for the fundraiser. (They gathered many low-value coins.)
  • She earns only pennies at her part-time job. (She earns a very small amount of money.)

Advanced Usage

• "pennies from heaven": unexpected good fortune, especially financial gain.

  • The inheritance felt like pennies from heaven. (It was an unexpected and welcome source of money.)

• "to pinch pennies": to be very careful with money; to spend as little as possible.

  • During the recession, they had to pinch pennies to afford groceries. (They had to be extremely frugal.)

Variants and Related Words

• Penny (n): the singular form of "pennies"; a single coin of low value.

  • I found a penny on the sidewalk. (A single one-cent coin.)

• Pennyworth (n): as much as a penny will buy; a small amount.

  • He gave me a pennyworth of candy. (A tiny quantity purchased for a penny.)

Synonyms

• Coppers: informal British term for low-value coins, especially pennies.
• Cents: American term for one-hundredth of a dollar, equivalent to pennies.
• Small change: coins of low value, including pennies.

Related Idioms

• "a penny for your thoughts": a phrase used to ask someone what they are thinking about.

  • You look deep in thought — a penny for your thoughts? (Tell me what you are thinking.)

• "in for a penny, in for a pound": once committed to a course of action, one should see it through fully.

  • I've already invested in the project, so in for a penny, in for a pound. (I will continue with full commitment.)

• "a penny saved is a penny earned": saving money is as valuable as earning it.

  • He always turns off lights to save electricity — a penny saved is a penny earned. (He believes in frugality.)