English Reference
noun · verb

fund

n. · v.
US /ˈfənd/ UK /fˈʌnd/ fund

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate Finance

    n.an amount of money that is kept for a particular purpose.

    n.a reserve of money set aside for a specific objective or contingency.

    Simple

    The school started a fund to buy new computers for the library.

    In context

    The emergency fund was established to ensure the charity could continue its operations even during periods of reduced public donations.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Finance

    n.a company or service that manages money for many people to invest it.

    n.a financial organization or collective investment scheme, such as a mutual fund or pension fund.

    Simple

    He decided to put his savings into a low-risk index fund.

    In context

    The hedge fund manager faced intense scrutiny after the portfolio's value dropped significantly during the market downturn.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Literary

    n.a large amount of something useful that you can use when needed.

    n.a metaphorical store or abundant supply of a non-monetary resource.

    Simple

    The professor has a deep fund of knowledge about ancient history.

    In context

    Her long career in diplomacy provided her with a vast fund of anecdotes that she used to charm her guests at dinner.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to provide the money needed for a project, person, or organization.

    v.to provide capital or financial backing for a specific venture or entity. Transitive — requires a direct object.

    Simple

    The government agreed to fund the construction of the new highway.

    In context

    The research project was primarily funded by a private grant from a technological foundation interested in renewable energy.

    defund

There was not one single cent paid from the church to fund that type of activity.

The Guardian· 21 Aug 2026

By the end of the 1920s, the fund was supporting hundreds of college students enrolled at 56 colleges and universities across the nation .

The Conversation· 16 Jul 2026

PIE word *bʰudʰmḗn Borrowed from Latin fundus. Doublet of fond and fundus.

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

This entry
Origin Latin fundus
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Very common
Updated