Skip to content
AylaraTalks

Word list · Teens & Adults

Money and Banking Vocabulary in English

Accounts, cards, loans and refunds: the language of everyday money.

Age
Ages 13+
Level
A2–B2
Skill
Vocabulary
Format
Interactive
More in the library
  • Everyday life
  • 25 words

Practise

Three ways to learn the list. Nothing is saved: start again whenever you like.

Front of the card:

0 of 25 learned

current account

noun

The list

Tap the speaker to hear each word.

  1. current account

    noun · B1

    a bank account for everyday payments (American English: checking account)

    My salary goes straight into my current account.

  2. savings account

    noun · B1

    a bank account where you keep money you do not need now and earn interest

    I put a little money into my savings account every month.

  3. withdraw

    verb · B1

    to take money out of a bank account

    I withdrew 100 euros from the cash machine.

  4. deposit

    verb · B1

    to put money into a bank account

    You can deposit cash at the counter or at a cash machine.

  5. ATM

    noun · A2

    a machine in a wall where you can take out money with your card (British English also: cash machine)

    Is there an ATM near here? I need some cash.

  6. balance

    noun · B1

    the amount of money in a bank account

    I always check my balance before I pay any big bills.

  7. loan

    noun · B1

    money that you borrow from a bank and must pay back

    They got a loan from the bank to buy a new car.

  8. mortgage

    noun · B2

    a long-term loan used to buy a house or flat

    They took out a 25-year mortgage to buy their first home.

  9. interest rate

    noun · B2

    the percentage that you pay when you borrow money, or that you earn on savings

    The bank is offering a low interest rate for first-time buyers.

  10. debt

    noun · B1

    money that you owe to someone

    It took him five years to pay off all his debt.

  11. afford

    verb · B1

    to have enough money to pay for something

    We can't afford a holiday abroad this year.

  12. save up

    phrasal verb · B1

    to keep money over a period of time so you can buy something

    I'm saving up for a new laptop.

  13. receipt

    noun · B1

    a piece of paper that shows you have paid for something

    Keep the receipt in case you need to return it.

  14. refund

    noun · B1

    money that is given back to you, for example when you return something to a shop

    The shop gave me a full refund because the jacket was damaged.

  15. transfer

    verb · B1

    to move money from one bank account to another

    I'll transfer the money to your account tonight.

  16. PIN

    noun · B1

    a secret number you use with your bank card

    Never tell anyone your PIN, not even someone from the bank.

  17. bank statement

    noun · B2

    a document that lists all the money going into and out of your account

    My bank statement shows every payment I made last month.

  18. overdraft

    noun · B2

    an arrangement that lets you spend more money than you have in your account, up to a limit

    I went into my overdraft before payday, so I paid a small charge.

  19. exchange rate

    noun · B1

    how much of one currency you get for another

    What's the exchange rate between the dollar and the euro today?

  20. contactless

    adjective · B1

    (of a card or phone payment) made by holding it near a machine, without putting it in

    Most people pay for coffee with a contactless card now.

  21. fee

    noun · B2

    an amount of money you pay for a service

    The bank charges a small fee for international transfers.

  22. income

    noun · B1

    the money you receive regularly, for example from your job

    Rent shouldn't be more than a third of your income.

  23. invest

    verb · B2

    to put money into something, such as a business or shares, hoping to make a profit

    She invested her savings in a friend's small business.

  24. broke

    adjective · B2

    (informal) having no money

    I can't come out tonight. I'm completely broke until payday.

  25. branch

    noun · B1

    one of the local offices of a bank or a large company

    My local branch closed, so now I do all my banking online.

Use it: speaking task

For pairs or small groups, about ten minutes.

Work in pairs. Ask and answer the questions. Give reasons and examples, and use at least one word from the list in every answer.

  1. Are you saving up for anything at the moment? How long will it take?
  2. Do you still use cash, or do you pay contactless for almost everything?
  3. Is it better to rent or to take out a mortgage in your country? Why?
  4. Have you ever asked for a refund? Did you get it?
  5. What is one thing you would never borrow money for?

Printable worksheet

One page of matching and gap-fill, the speaking task, and an answer key on a separate page.