# farthing

/ˈfɑɹðɪŋ/ (US) · /fˈɑːθɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/farthing
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

a small old British coin worth one quarter of an old penny. People stopped using it in 1960.

For teachers: a former British bronze coin valued at one quarter of an old penny, withdrawn from circulation in 1960.

## Examples

- The old farthing sits in my coin collection.
- The museum displays a farthing from 1948 alongside other pre-decimal coins.
- He would not give a farthing for their promises, having learned that grand assurances often cost the speaker nothing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.