# won

/ˈwɑn/ (US) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/won
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the official currency of South Korea and North Korea. You use this word when talking about money in those countries.

For teachers: the basic unit of currency in South Korea and North Korea.

## Examples

- The meal costs ten thousand won.
- Before traveling to Seoul, she went to the bank to exchange her dollars for won.
- The value of the won fluctuated significantly against the dollar following the central bank's announcement regarding interest rate adjustments.

## Pitfalls

- Not "It costs five hundred wons." but "It costs five hundred won." — The currency name 'won' is uncountable and does not take an 's' in the plural.

## Usage notes

- The noun is uncountable; the plural form remains 'won' rather than 'wons'.

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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.