Cash Meaning
Cash Definition & Usage
Money in the form of physical currency (coins and paper bills), as opposed to digital or electronic funds.
Examples
- "I need to withdraw some cash to pay for the groceries."
- "He handed me a five-dollar bill in cash."
- "Do you have any cash, or should I use my card?"
- "They paid for the car entirely in cash."
- "The store only accepts cash for purchases under $10."
The financial resources or liquid assets a person or business has available, particularly for immediate use or short-term needs.
Examples
- "Our company is running low on cash after the investment."
- "She always keeps some cash on hand in case of an emergency."
- "The startup raised enough cash to fund the first round of development."
- "He borrowed some cash to cover the expenses for the trip."
- "It’s good to have some cash in reserve for unforeseen circumstances."
To exchange a check, voucher, or another form of payment for cash (physical money).
Examples
- "I need to cash this check before the bank closes."
- "You can cash your paycheck at any local branch."
- "He cashed the traveler's checks and used the money for shopping."
- "She decided to cash in her savings bond after five years."
- "We will cash the donation checks on Monday."
Cultural Context
Cash has been the primary medium of exchange in human societies for centuries. While digital payments and electronic transactions have gained prominence, cash remains an essential part of everyday life, particularly for small purchases and in regions with less access to banking infrastructure.
The Unexpected Cash Flow
Story
The Unexpected Cash Flow
James was always meticulous with his finances. As the owner of a small restaurant, he kept a close eye on the cash flow, knowing that running a business meant managing every penny carefully. One afternoon, while preparing for the evening rush, his accountant, Rachel, called with some unexpected news. 'James, we’ve got a bit of an issue,' she said, sounding concerned. 'There seems to be a discrepancy in the cash register from yesterday.' James furrowed his brow. 'What do you mean? The numbers should match up.' 'It’s not just the register,' Rachel explained. 'It’s the cash we received from a few customers. It’s off by about $100.' James immediately left the kitchen and walked into the back office, where Rachel showed him the ledger. The numbers didn’t lie. The total sales for the day didn’t match the amount of cash deposited into the account. After some investigation, they realized that a staff member had mistakenly pocketed some of the cash from the till. 'I can't believe it,' James muttered. 'This is a real blow.' He knew that losing cash in this way wasn’t just a small mistake—it could affect his bottom line, especially during the busy season. Fortunately, after a serious talk with the employee, the money was returned, and the matter was settled. But the incident was a reminder of how vital it was to keep track of the cash, both literally and figuratively, in his business. A few days later, James received an unexpected cash influx: a large payment from a catering event he’d nearly forgotten about. With the extra funds, he decided to invest in a new point-of-sale system to prevent any future issues. 'I guess this cash flow situation worked out in the end,' he thought, as he watched the system update on the screen. It was a long week, but James learned that in business, cash is more than just physical money—it's about liquidity, trust, and keeping everything flowing smoothly.
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