finances

Everyday

1. (money) The money that a person, family, business or country has and how it is managed. tree →
2. Third person form of the verb finance: pays for something. tree →

In the lessons

In adult life it means how much money a family has and how they spend it: «our finances are tight this month». In stories it shows worry or comfort about money. Phrases: family finances, sort out your finances, his finances are in a mess, the bank finances.

Examples

• Mum and Dad talk about the family finances every Sunday. tree →
• The club's finances are healthy, so we can buy new kits. tree →
• After he lost his job, their finances were tight. tree →
• Grandad helps me keep my finances in order with a piggy bank. tree →
• The council finances the local library. tree →
• Good finances mean spending less than you earn. tree →

Note

Usually plural in this sense: «my finances are…», with a plural verb. Related: financial, financially. In maths problems about finances, think of money in and money out.