dirty money

USAGE SUMMARY

"dirty money" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to money that has been acquired through illegal or questionable means. For example, "The criminal was apprehended with a suitcase full of dirty money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Enjoy your dirty money.

The New York Times - Books

Dirty money breeds dirt".

The Guardian

That is the characteristic of dirty money".

The New York Times

He plays a launderer of dirty money.

The Guardian - Film

"Basically, we follow dirty money," Mr. Hudak said.

The New York Times

ONLY a fool holds dirty money in his own name.

The Economist

Go back to Texas with your dirty money".

The New York Times

You get dirty money and it dirties everything.

The Guardian

There's dirty politics, dirty money and dirty dealings.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"That's what turns dirty money clean," he says.

The Guardian

"There is a lot of pay for play and dirty money going around," Mr. Bishop said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial crimes or corruption, use "dirty money" to clearly and concisely convey the idea of illegally obtained funds. It is widely understood and carries a strong negative connotation.

Common error

While "dirty money" is common, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. More precise terms like "ill-gotten gains" or "proceeds of crime" may be more appropriate for those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dirty money" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a compound noun. It acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to money acquired illegally. This is supported by Ludwig examples that show it being used in contexts like "laundering dirty money" or "tracking dirty money."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dirty money" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe illegally obtained funds. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to label and condemn illicit financial activities. While relatively neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "ill-gotten gains" may be preferable in academic or legal settings. When using the phrase, it's important to be clear about the specific context and avoid overuse in highly formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tainted money

Replaces "dirty" with "tainted", emphasizing the corrupting influence of the money's origin.

ill-gotten gains

A more formal expression that highlights the illegal acquisition of the money.

illegal funds

Focuses on the illegality of the money's source.

laundered money

Describes money that has been processed to conceal its illegal origin.

corrupt money

Emphasizes the corrupt nature of the money and its origins.

criminal proceeds

Highlights the money as the result of criminal activity.

unclean funds

Similar to "tainted money", suggesting moral impurity.

shady money

An informal term implying suspicious or questionable origins.

hot money

Implies the money is newly acquired and likely to attract attention from authorities.

blood money

Suggests the money was obtained through violence or exploitation.

FAQs

What does "dirty money" mean?

"Dirty money" refers to funds obtained through illegal activities, such as fraud, corruption, or drug trafficking. It is often used to describe money that needs to be laundered to conceal its origins.

What are some synonyms for "dirty money"?

Synonyms for "dirty money" include "tainted money", "ill-gotten gains", "illegal funds", and "criminal proceeds". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How is "dirty money" typically used in a sentence?

"Dirty money" is usually the object of a verb related to financial crime, such as "laundering", "hiding", or "investigating". For example: "The authorities are investigating the flow of dirty money through offshore accounts."

Is "dirty money" a formal or informal term?

While widely understood, "dirty money" leans toward the informal side. In highly formal or legal contexts, more precise terms like "proceeds of illegal activities" or "ill-gotten gains" may be preferred.