# save money

CEFR A2 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/save-money
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to keep money for the future instead of spending it now.

For teachers: to accumulate capital by avoiding expenditure; to reserve funds for future use or to reduce costs through discounts.

## Examples

- I save money every month for a new car.
- If you cook at home instead of eating out, you can save money for your summer holiday.
- Financial advisors often suggest that young professionals save money by diversifying their portfolios and minimizing unnecessary recurring subscriptions.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I am saving my money for buy a house." but "I am saving my money to buy a house." — use 'to + infinitive' or 'for + gerund' to express the purpose of saving.

## Usage notes

- commonly used with 'for' to indicate the purpose of the savings.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'spend money' and 'waste money'; note that 'save' can also mean 'to rescue', but in this collocation, it specifically refers to financial preservation.

---

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.