filthy lucre
Money, especially if obtained dishonestlyMoney, especially if obtained dishonestly.
UK/ˌfɪlθi ˈl(j)uːkə/US/ˌfɪlθi ˈlukəɹ/
Meaning
1 senses(derogatory, humorous, idiomatic, often, uncountable)Money, especially if obtained dishonestly.
More definitions
- shameful profit
Origin
From filthy + lucre, which appears in the Tyndale Bible, and four times in the King JamesFrom filthy + lucre, which appears in the Tyndale Bible, and four times in the King James Version of the Bible, as a calque of Ancient Greek αἰσχρόν κέρδος (aiskhrón kérdos) and related terms such as αἰσχροκερδής (aiskhrokerdḗs, “[a person] given to filthy lucre”): see the quotations and Citations:filthy lucre.
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Synonyms
2 synonymsWord family
4 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable