greenback

/ˈɡriːnbæk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡriːnbæk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgrēn-ˌbak/ (ame, mw)

greenback — noun

  • greenbacksingular
  • greenbacksplural

1. an informal word for a US dollar bill or a piece of American paper money — the n

1.名詞B1
釋義

an informal word for a US dollar bill or a piece of American paper money — the name comes from the green ink used on the back of the notes first issued during the Civil War.

例句

Kenji pulled a crumpled greenback from his jeans and paid for the coffee.

informal term for a dollar bill in everyday payment

The antique shop in Savannah still accepts only cash — every greenback counted by hand.

同義詞
  • dollar bill

    the neutral, everyday term; greenback is more colourful and informal

  • bill

    shorter and very common; greenback adds a distinctly American flavour

  • note

    used in British English for paper money; greenback is specifically American

用法筆記

Rarely used for coins — the word suggests a paper bill. Common in informal conversation and in historical writing about 19th- and early 20th-century American finance.

常見錯誤

❌I have five greenbacks in my wallet — a five-dollar bill.
✅I have five greenbacks in my wallet.
💡'Greenback' already means a dollar bill; you do not need to add 'dollar bill' after it.
❌Greenbacks are the official currency of Canada.
✅Greenbacks are an informal name for US paper money, not official currency of any country.
💡'Greenback' refers specifically to US dollars, not any paper money.