pocket money

USAGE SUMMARY

"pocket money" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a sum of money given to a person on a regular basis, usually once a week or once a month, typically given to children by parents or guardians. For example: "Sam receives a weekly allowance of pocket money from his parents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pocket money.

The New Yorker

She's saving pocket money.

The New Yorker

I had £4 pocket money.

Independent

Not exactly pocket money.

The Guardian

They had pocket money.

The New York Times

What's pocket money?

The Guardian - Business

It wasn't pocket money.

The Guardian

Everyone had a little pocket money.

The New Yorker

Now the pocket money is being stopped.

The Economist

Pocket money in their palms.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ten years of pocket money.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about finance or personal budgeting, use "pocket money" to specifically refer to small, discretionary funds, especially for children or personal spending.

Common error

Avoid using "pocket money" when referring to substantial amounts of money or significant financial transactions. It implies a small and relatively insignificant sum.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pocket money" is as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where "pocket money" functions as a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pocket money" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used noun phrase that refers to a small amount of money, typically given to children or for personal spending. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily as a noun and is used to communicate about discretionary funds. Its register is mainly neutral to informal, predominantly appearing in news and media contexts. When using the term, it's important to consider the scale, as it implies a small sum, and to choose it over terms like "petty cash" in personal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allowance

Focuses on the regular provision of money, often to children.

spending money

Emphasizes the purpose of the money, which is for spending.

pin money

Refers to a small sum of money for incidental expenses.

small change

Highlights the low value and physical coins.

mad money

Implies a reserve of cash for emergencies or spontaneous decisions.

petty cash

Usually designates a fund of readily available cash for minor business expenses.

extra cash

More generic reference to having money beyond essential needs.

disposable income

Highlights the portion of income available for saving or spending after essential expenses.

fun money

Money specifically allocated for entertainment and leisure activities.

walking-around money

Cash carried for immediate, everyday spending needs.

FAQs

How can I use "pocket money" in a sentence?

"Pocket money" refers to a small amount of money given to someone, usually a child, for discretionary spending. For example, "My daughter saves her "pocket money" to buy new books".

What's the difference between "pocket money" and "allowance"?

While both "pocket money" and "allowance" refer to money given regularly, "pocket money" often implies a smaller amount, typically given to children for minor expenses, while "allowance" can be a more general term for regular payments.

Is it appropriate to use "pocket money" in a business context?

Generally, no. "Pocket money" is typically associated with personal or children's spending. In a business context, terms like "petty cash" or "discretionary funds" are more suitable.

What are some synonyms for "pocket money"?

Synonyms for "pocket money" include "spending money", "allowance", and "pin money". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.