Word
pence
Phoneticspence
US/ˈpɛns/
UK/pˈɛns/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. The plural of 'penny', used to talk about a total amount of money in British pounds.
n. The plural form of 'penny' used collectively to denote a specific value or price in British currency.
Examples
“The newspaper costs ninety-five pence.”
“After the tax increase, the price of a litre of fuel rose by several pence overnight.”
“In the United Kingdom, the decimal pound is divided into one hundred pence, a system that replaced the complex shillings and pence of the pre-decimal era in 1971.”
Examples
simple
“The newspaper costs ninety-five pence.”
contextual
“After the tax increase, the price of a litre of fuel rose by several pence overnight.”
complex
“In the United Kingdom, the decimal pound is divided into one hundred pence, a system that replaced the complex shillings and pence of the pre-decimal era in 1971.”
Usage
Usually follows a number to state a price; often abbreviated to 'p' in speech and writing.
Pitfall
The bread costs eighty pences.
The bread costs eighty pence.
In modern British English, 'pence' is already plural; do not add an 's' to the end.
Synonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/pence