For master-level learners: literary, precise vocabulary for describing wealth, poverty, thrift, and extravagance in serious personal writing.
Free Money & Finance vocabulary flashcards at the C2 level — all 35 words with definitions and examples. Study them with spaced repetition and use these words precisely, including nuance most learners miss.
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penury
the state of being extremely poor
opulence
great wealth shown through luxury and expensive possessions
avarice
an extreme and selfish desire for wealth
parsimony
extreme unwillingness to spend money
arrears
money that is owed and should have already been paid
usury
the unfair practice of lending money at extremely high interest rates
emolument
a formal term for the salary someone receives for a job
recompense
money given to someone to make up for a loss they have suffered
privation
the lack of things that are needed for a decent life
squalor
the condition of being extremely dirty and poor
benefactor
a person who gives money to help someone else
philanthropy
the practice of giving money generously to help people in need
sinecure
a well-paid position that requires very little actual work
remittance
money sent from one place to another, often to family abroad
dowry
money and property given by a bride's family at her marriage
profligacy
reckless and extremely wasteful spending of money
beneficiary
a person who receives money left to them in a will
subsistence
the smallest amount of money needed to stay alive
disburse
to pay out money from a fund set aside for a purpose
beggar
to reduce someone to complete poverty
profiteer
to make unfair profits by exploiting other people's hardship
extort
to obtain money from someone through threats and intimidation
fleece
to charge someone a much higher price than something is worth
bankroll
to provide the money needed to pay for a project
indenture
to legally bind someone to work for another person, often to repay a debt
entail
to make something, especially a cost, a necessary and unavoidable result
defray
to provide money to help pay for part of a cost
venal
willing to act dishonestly in exchange for money
mercenary
motivated only by a desire for money rather than principle
pecuniary
relating closely to money
destitute
having no money, no food, and no possessions
impecunious
having very little money
munificent
extremely generous, especially when giving money
straitened
having very little money and struggling financially
improvident
failing to plan sensibly for the future, especially with money