English

Pronunciation

• IPA: /'pɛni/
• SAMPA: /pE.ni/

Noun

penny (plural pennies when referring to individual coins; (UK) pence when referring to an amount of money)

1. (formerly) In the United Kingdom and Ireland, a copper coin worth 1/240 of a pound sterling or Irish pound before decimalisation.
2. In the United Kingdom, a copper coin worth 1/100 of a pound sterling; also formerly in Ireland, a coin worth 1/100 of an Irish pound before the introduction of the euro.
3. In the US and Canada, a one-cent coin, worth 1/100 of a dollar.

Synonyms

• (1/240 of a pound sterling): old penny
• (1/100 of a pound sterling): new penny (old-fashioned)
• (one-cent coin): cent

Translations

1/240 of a pound sterling or Irish pound

1/100 of a pound sterling or Irish pound

one-cent coin in US and Canada See cent

Translations to be checked

The translations below need to be checked by native speakers and inserted into the appropriate table(s) above. The numbering is unreliable.

• Chinese: 便士 (1)

Verb

to penny (pennies, pennying, pennied)

1. To jam a door shut by inserting pennies between the door frame and the door.

Herbert had only been at college for a week when his door was pennied by the guys down the hall.

Proper noun

Penny

1. A female given name.