# ISA

/ˈisə/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/isa
Updated: 2026-05-10

## Definition

Stands for Individual Savings Account. A special type of bank account in the UK that lets you save money without paying tax on the interest you earn.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Individual Savings Account. A tax-efficient savings or investment account available to residents of the United Kingdom.

## Examples

- I put my savings into an ISA to avoid paying tax.
- The government sets a maximum limit on how much money you can deposit into an ISA each tax year.
- While a Cash ISA offers guaranteed returns through interest, a Stocks and Shares ISA carries more risk but provides the potential for higher long-term growth within a tax-free wrapper.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used as a countable noun; the acronym is typically pronounced as a single word rather than individual letters.

---

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.