pocket-money

A child saves their pocket-money in a piggy bank.

Definition

Noun: - A small amount of money given regularly to a child by their parents: "pocket-money" refers to an allowance, typically given weekly or monthly, intended for minor personal expenses such as sweets, toys, or small treats. It is not a salary or a large sum, but rather a modest sum for discretionary spending.

Usage Examples

• (A regular small allowance for a child.)
• (Money accumulated from a regular allowance.)
• (Money used for small personal purchases.)

Advanced Usage

• "to earn one's pocket-money": to do chores or small jobs in exchange for the regular allowance.

  • I earn my pocket-money by washing the car every weekend. (I receive the allowance as payment for work.)

• "pocket-money" as a compound noun: Can be used attributively (before another noun) to describe something related to an allowance.

  • She has a pocket-money budget for treats and outings. (A budget derived from or related to the allowance.)

Variants and Related Words

• Pocket (n): a small bag sewn into clothing for carrying small items.

  • He kept his coins in his jacket pocket. (A container for small items.)

• Money (n): a medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes.

  • She needs money to pay for the bus fare. (General currency.)

• Allowance (n): a similar concept, often used interchangeably with "pocket-money", especially in American English.

  • His weekly allowance is ten dollars. (A regular sum given to a child.)

Synonyms

• Allowance: a fixed amount of money given regularly.
• Spending money: money available for personal expenses.
• Pin money: a small amount of money for minor expenses (historical term, now less common).

Related Idioms

• "to have money to burn": to have so much money that one can waste it (not directly related to pocket-money, but contrasts with its small scale).

  • He acts like he has money to burn, but he only has his pocket-money. (He spends carelessly despite having little.)

• "a penny for your thoughts": an idiom asking what someone is thinking, not related to pocket-money but using the concept of small money.

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