# finance

/ˈfaɪˌnæns/ (US) · /fˈaɪnæns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/finance
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. management of money

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the activity of managing money, especially for a company or a government.

For teachers: the management of large amounts of money by governments or large companies.

- He decided to pursue a career in corporate finance after university.
- The minister's expertise in international finance helped the country navigate the global economic crisis with minimal disruption to the local market.

Usage: Uncountable in this general sense.

### 2. available money

noun · CEFR B2

the money that a person, company, or country has available to spend.

For teachers: monetary resources, especially those of a public entity or a corporation.

- The company's finances are in good shape after a successful year.
- The committee expressed concern regarding the city's finances, noting that the current deficit could impact essential public services.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form 'finances' when referring to a specific entity's money.

### 3. a payment plan

noun · CEFR B2

a way of paying for something expensive by making small payments over a long time.

For teachers: the provision of a loan or credit arrangement to enable a purchase without immediate full payment.

- We bought the new car on finance and will pay it off over four years.
- The dealership offered a competitive finance package with zero percent interest for the first twelve months of the contract.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'on'.

### 4. to provide money for

verb · CEFR B2

to provide the money needed for a project, business, or purchase.

For teachers: to provide or obtain funding for a specific transaction, undertaking, or asset.

- The local government will finance the building of the new library.
- The startup was financed primarily through venture capital, allowing the founders to scale their operations rapidly across three continents.

## Examples

- She decided to pursue a career in international finance.
- The government is introducing new regulations to ensure more transparency in the world of corporate finance.
- While the technical aspects of finance often seem daunting to the layperson, the underlying principles usually revolve around the assessment of risk and the time value of money.

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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.