What does k mean in money Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/keɪ/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Abbreviation

Definition

An abbreviation for ‘kilo’, representing one thousand units, commonly used in financial and economic contexts to denote a quantity of one thousand units, such as dollars, pounds, or other currencies.

Examples

• The company’s revenue reached $1k last quarter.
• The investment returned a 10k dividend.

Synonyms

• kilo
• thousand

Antonyms

• milli (representing one-thousandth)

Additional Information

The use of ‘k’ as an abbreviation for ‘kilo’ is commonly seen in financial news, business reports, and online forums. It provides a convenient shorthand for expressing large quantities of money, making it easier to communicate and compare financial data.

In addition, the use of ‘k’ has become widespread in informal contexts, such as social media and online discussions, where brevity and clarity are essential.

It’s essential to note that while ‘k’ is widely used as an abbreviation, it’s not an official unit of measurement in most countries, and its use may vary depending on the context and region.

Etymology

The use of ‘k’ as an abbreviation for ‘kilo’ originated in the early 20th century, as a shorthand for expressing large quantities in scientific and technical contexts. Over time, its use expanded to financial and economic contexts, becoming a widely accepted convention.

Usage Notes

When using ‘k’ as an abbreviation, ensure the context is clear, and the intended meaning is understood by the audience. In formal writing, such as academic or professional documents, it’s recommended to use the full unit of measurement (e.g., ‘thousand’) for clarity and precision.

Cultural References

The use of ‘k’ as an abbreviation has appeared in various forms of media, such as films, TV shows, and video games, often used to denote large sums of money or to convey a sense of wealth and abundance.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “make a 5k salary” (meaning to earn a salary of $5,000)
• “invest 10k in stocks” (meaning to invest $10,000 in stocks)

Related Words or Phrases

• milli (representing one-thousandth)
• M (representing one million)

Collocations

• “$1k bonus”
• “10k subscribers”

Frequency of Use

The use of ‘k’ as an abbreviation is moderately frequent in financial and economic contexts, and its frequency is increasing in informal online discussions and social media.

Common Misspellings

• “K” (capitalization error)
• “kk” (typographical error)