Money & Business
Words for finance, shopping, business, and trade
Overview
25 A2 words for talking about money, finance, business operations, and economic concepts.
Words
account /əˈkaʊnt/
noun — A2
Meaning: an arrangement with a bank; an online profile
Examples:
- I opened a bank account.
- Create an account to sign in.
Collocations: bank account, email account, account number, take into account
afford /əˈfɔːd/
verb — A2
Meaning: to have enough money to buy something
Examples:
- We can’t afford a new car.
- She couldn’t afford to eat out.
Collocations: can’t afford, afford to, affordable
Word Family: afford (v.) → affordable (adj.)
budget /ˈbʌdʒɪt/
noun, adjective — A2
Meaning: the amount of money available; low-cost
Examples:
- What’s your budget for the holiday?
- We stayed at a budget hotel.
Collocations: on a budget, budget airline, budget plan
cash /kæʃ/
noun — A2
Meaning: money in coins or notes (not electronic)
Examples:
- Do you have any cash?
- I prefer to pay by cash.
Collocations: cash machine, cash register, pay in cash
charge /tʃɑːdʒ/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: (v.) to ask for payment; to fill with electricity; (n.) cost; responsibility
Examples:
- How much do you charge for delivery?
- There’s no charge for children.
Collocations: free of charge, charge for, in charge of, charge a phone
company /ˈkʌmpəni/
noun — A2
Meaning: a business organization
Examples:
- She works for a big tech company.
- The company has 1,000 employees.
Collocations: company director, insurance company, start a company
customer /ˈkʌstəmər/
noun — A2
Meaning: a person who buys goods or services
Examples:
- The shop has many regular customers.
- Customer satisfaction is our priority.
Collocations: customer service, regular customer, customer feedback
debt /det/
noun — A2
Meaning: money owed to someone
Examples:
- He’s in debt to the bank.
- She finally paid off all her debts.
Collocations: in debt, pay off debt, national debt, debt free
deliver /dɪˈlɪvər/
verb — A2
Meaning: to take goods to the person who ordered them
Examples:
- The package was delivered this morning.
- We deliver to your door.
Collocations: deliver a package, free delivery, deliver on time
Word Family: deliver (v.) → delivery (n.)
discount /ˈdɪskaʊnt/
noun — A2
Meaning: a reduction in the usual price
Examples:
- Students get a 20% discount.
- Is there a discount for groups?
Collocations: student discount, discount code, at a discount
economy /ɪˈkɒnəmi/
noun — A2
Meaning: the system of trade and industry in a country
Examples:
- The economy is growing slowly.
- Tourism is important for the local economy.
Collocations: global economy, economy class, economy growth
Word Family: economy (n.) → economic (adj.) → economics (n.) → economist (n.)
exchange /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: to give something and receive something in return
Examples:
- We exchanged phone numbers.
- What’s the exchange rate?
Collocations: exchange rate, in exchange for, exchange student
goods /ɡʊdz/
noun — A2
Meaning: things made to be sold
Examples:
- The shop sells electrical goods.
- Goods are transported by truck.
Collocations: consumer goods, luxury goods, goods and services
income /ˈɪnkʌm/
noun — A2
Meaning: money received regularly from work or investments
Examples:
- Her income has doubled in five years.
- What’s your annual income?
Collocations: annual income, low income, income tax
insurance /ɪnˈʃʊərəns/
noun — A2
Meaning: an arrangement where a company pays costs if something bad happens
Examples:
- Do you have travel insurance?
- Car insurance is expensive for young drivers.
Collocations: health insurance, car insurance, insurance company, insurance policy
invest /ɪnˈvest/
verb — A2
Meaning: to put money into something expecting a profit
Examples:
- She invested in property.
- The company invested millions in research.
Collocations: invest in, invest money, invest time
Word Family: invest (v.) → investment (n.) → investor (n.)
loan /ləʊn/
noun, verb — A2
Meaning: money lent that must be paid back
Examples:
- She took out a bank loan.
- Can you loan me £20?
Collocations: bank loan, student loan, loan repayment
luxury /ˈlʌkʃəri/
noun, adjective — A2
Meaning: something expensive and not necessary; great comfort
Examples:
- They stayed in a luxury hotel.
- Hot water is a luxury in some places.
Collocations: luxury goods, luxury hotel, luxury brand
Word Family: luxury (n.) → luxurious (adj.)
owe /əʊ/
verb — A2
Meaning: to need to pay money back to someone
Examples:
- I owe you £10.
- He still owes money to the bank.
Collocations: owe money, owe someone, how much do I owe
profit /ˈprɒfɪt/
noun — A2
Meaning: money gained from business after paying costs
Examples:
- The company made a huge profit.
- They sell at a small profit.
Collocations: make a profit, profit margin, net profit
Word Family: profit (n.) → profitable (adj.)
receipt /rɪˈsiːt/
noun — A2
Meaning: a piece of paper showing you have paid for something
Examples:
- Keep the receipt in case you want to return it.
- Can I have a receipt, please?
Collocations: sales receipt, keep a receipt, receipt of
reduce /rɪˈdjuːs/
verb — A2
Meaning: to make something smaller or less
Examples:
- They reduced prices by 50%.
- We need to reduce our spending.
Collocations: reduce costs, reduce the risk, greatly reduced
Word Family: reduce (v.) → reduction (n.)
savings /ˈseɪvɪŋz/
noun — A2
Meaning: money you have saved
Examples:
- She put her savings into a new business.
- I have some savings in the bank.
Collocations: savings account, life savings, savings plan
tax /tæks/
noun, verb — A2
Meaning: money paid to the government on income or goods
Examples:
- Income tax is 20%.
- These goods are taxed at the standard rate.
Collocations: income tax, tax return, tax rate, after tax
Word Family: tax (n./v.) → taxation (n.) → taxpayer (n.)
value /ˈvæljuː/
noun, verb — A2
Meaning: (n.) how much something is worth; (v.) to think something is important
Examples:
- The value of the house has increased.
- I value your friendship.
Collocations: good value, value for money, traditional values
Word Family: value (n./v.) → valuable (adj.) → invaluable (adj.)
Quick Review
| Word | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| account | n. | bank/online profile |
| afford | v. | have enough money |
| budget | n./adj. | money plan; cheap |
| cash | n. | physical money |
| charge | v./n. | ask payment; cost |
| company | n. | business |
| customer | n. | buyer |
| debt | n. | money owed |
| deliver | v. | bring goods |
| discount | n. | price reduction |
| economy | n. | trade system |
| exchange | v./n. | give and receive |
| goods | n. | products |
| income | n. | regular money |
| insurance | n. | risk protection |
| invest | v. | put money in |
| loan | n./v. | borrowed money |
| luxury | n./adj. | expensive comfort |
| owe | v. | need to repay |
| profit | n. | business gain |
| receipt | n. | payment proof |
| reduce | v. | make less |
| savings | n. | saved money |
| tax | n./v. | government payment |
| value | n./v. | worth |