tuppenny
Definition
Adjective:
- Worth or costing two pence: "tuppenny" describes something that has a value of two pence, especially in British currency.
- Cheap or inferior: By extension, it can mean something of little worth or low quality, often used in a dismissive or contemptuous sense.
Noun (British, informal):
- A two-pence coin: "tuppenny" can refer to a coin worth two pence.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- He bought a tuppenny loaf of bread from the baker. (A loaf costing two pence.)
- That’s just a tuppenny piece of advice, not worth listening to. (Cheap or worthless advice.)
Noun:
- She found an old tuppenny in her grandfather’s coin collection. (A two-pence coin.)
Advanced Usage
- "tuppenny-ha'penny" (also "tuppenny-halfpenny"): an adjective meaning cheap, insignificant, or of low quality.
- We stayed at a tuppenny-ha'penny hotel in the outskirts. (A very cheap and modest hotel.)
Variants and Related Words
Twopenny (adj): an alternative spelling or variant of "tuppenny," meaning the same (worth two pence or cheap).
- A twopenny stamp was enough for the letter. (A stamp costing two pence.)
Tuppence (n): the amount of two pence; often used informally.
- I don’t care tuppence about that matter. (I don’t care at all.)
Synonyms
- Two-penny: equivalent in value or cost.
- Cheap: low in price or quality.
- Paltry: insignificant or worthless.
Related Idioms
Not worth tuppence: to be of very little value or importance.
- That old painting is not worth tuppence. (It is worthless.)
Tuppenny upright: a historical slang term for a cheap prostitute, now archaic and offensive.
- The phrase "tuppenny upright" is rarely used today due to its derogatory nature. (An outdated term for a low-cost sex worker.)