French word

penny

Pronunciation

IPA/peni/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpenny

Example

Il a trouvé un penny près de la porte.

He found a penny near the door.

Illustration for penny (penny)

More examples

Ce livre ne vaut pas un penny.

This book isn't worth a penny.

Core concept

One low-value coin whose name covers a British penny and, by extension, a US cent.

Common phrases

  • la valeur d'un penny

    the value of a penny

Similar words

pièce: A single metal coin.
monnaie: Loose change or coins used to pay in a shop.

Definition in French

Terme désignant la pièce de monnaie britannique d'une valeur d'un penny, employé aussi par extension pour la petite pièce d'un cent aux États-Unis.

Word origin

English penny comes from Old English pening, a coin name related to German Pfennig and Old Norse penningr; French borrowed the word from English.

Usage tips

  • French penny is pronounced roughly like English 'penny', but its final y has the vowel sound of French i.

Word lists with this word