English Reference
Noun

bankroll

n.
C1 Advanced US /ˈbæŋˌkɹoʊɫ/ UK /bˈæŋkɹəʊl/ bankroll UK spelling bankrolled, bankrolling, bankrolls

n.the money you have available to spend on something, especially for a specific purpose like a project or a trip. It is often used when you need a lot of cash at once.

n.the total amount of money available for a specific purpose or expenditure. Often used in the context of funding a project, a journey, or a business venture.


SIMPLE

He used his entire bankroll to buy the new car.

CONTEXTUAL

The startup used its initial bankroll to hire a small team and develop the first version of the software.

COMPLEX

After months of careful budgeting, the director finally secured the necessary bankroll to shoot the film in high definition, ensuring the final product would meet international standards.

Because rather than match the status of the legacy competitions they hope to challenge, they wind up bankrolling them, cementing the chasm between them.

The Guardian· 19 Aug 2026

A Labour spokesperson said in response: “These reports raise yet more questions about the people bankrolling Reform and Nigel Farage … Farage cannot run from the truth for ever.

The Guardian· 16 Aug 2026

Compound of bank + roll.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated