Pence

Pronunciation

UK IPA: /pÉ›ns/ stressed, IPA: /pÉ™ns/ unstressed and in compounds
Rhymes: -É›ns

Origin

14th century contraction of penies ("pennies"), collective plural of penny.

Online Etymology Dictionary

Noun

plural

(British) Plural of penny (the sub-unit of the pound sterling).

Usage notes

This is the collective plural, used when referring to a sum of money, as in These apples are twenty pence each. When referring to several coins each worth one penny, the correct plural is pennies, as in I have one tenpence coin and three pennies.

Related terms

sixpence
thruppence
tuppence