ENGLISH
REFERENCE

quid

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈkwɪd// UK //kwˈɪd// quid Archaic Informal

n. a slang word for one pound in British money. You use it just like 'bucks' for dollars, but it stays the same in the plural.

n. a colloquial term for one pound sterling, primarily used in British English.


SIMPLE

Can you lend me ten quid for lunch?

CONTEXTUAL

The local market sells fresh organic vegetables for only a few quid per bag.

COMPLEX

While the official report listed the damages in the thousands, the locals joked that the old bridge wasn't worth more than fifty quid in its current state.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

Borrowed from Latin quid (“what, something”), neuter singular of quis (“who”).

Etymology 2

Likely derives from the phrase quid pro quo (“this for that”), referring to the exchange of goods/services for money.

Etymology 3

From Middle English quide, quede, from Old English cwidu, cwudu (“that which is chewed, cud”). Doublet of cud.

Usage

The plural form is usually 'quid' rather than 'quids' when referring to a specific amount of money.

Pitfall

That shirt cost twenty quids.That shirt cost twenty quid.In British slang, 'quid' remains singular even when referring to a plural amount of money.

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