Dollar vs. Pound — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
The dollar is a currency unit used by various countries, while the pound is the specific currency unit of the United Kingdom.
Difference Between Dollar and Pound
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The dollar is a widely used currency, with versions like the US dollar, Canadian dollar, and Australian dollar. The pound, specifically the pound sterling, is the currency of the United Kingdom. Both serve as fundamental monetary units but in different economic zones.
A dollar is subdivided into 100 cents, making it a decimal-based currency. A pound, on the other hand, is also subdivided into 100 smaller units, called pence. Each currency's division aids in precise financial transactions.
The symbol for the dollar is "$", recognized globally. The pound sterling uses the symbol "£". These symbols are shorthand representations of each currency in financial contexts.
The value of a dollar varies depending on the country it represents, like USD or CAD. The value of the pound sterling is specific to the UK's economic conditions. Both are subject to exchange rates and global economic fluctuations.
The dollar and pound have distinct historical origins; the dollar has roots in Spanish currency, while the pound dates back to Roman times in Britain. Both have evolved to become modern cornerstones of their respective financial systems.
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Comparison Chart
Usage
Multiple countries.
United Kingdom.
Subdivision
100 cents.
100 pence.
Symbol
$
£
Value Variability
Varies by country.
Specific to UK.
Historical Origin
Spanish currency influence.
Roman origins in Britain.
Compare with Definitions
Dollar
Currency unit
He exchanged euros for US dollars.
Pound
Unit of weight
She lost ten pounds recently.
Dollar
Paper money
She withdrew a twenty-dollar bill from the ATM.
Pound
Enclosure for stray animals
The lost dog was found in the pound.
Dollar
Slang for a significant amount
I wouldn't do that for a million dollars.
Pound
To beat or hit heavily
He pounded the table in frustration.
Dollar
Symbol of wealth
They lived the million-dollar lifestyle.
Pound
A unit of weight equal to 16 ounces (453.592 grams).
Dollar
Colloquial for money
Everything is about the dollar in business.
Pound
A unit of apothecary weight equal to 12 ounces (373.242 grams). See Table at measurement.
Dollar
Dollar (symbol: $) is the name of more than 20 currencies. They include the Australian dollar, Brunei dollar, Canadian dollar, Hong Kong dollar, Jamaican dollar, Liberian dollar, Namibian dollar, New Taiwan dollar, New Zealand dollar, Singapore dollar, United States dollar, and several others.
Pound
A unit of weight differing in various countries and times.
Dollar
See Table at currency.
Pound
See pound-force.
Dollar
A coin or note that is worth one dollar.
Pound
See pound-mass.
Dollar
Any of various historical silver coins similar to the taler, such as a piece of eight.
Pound
The primary unit of currency in the United Kingdom, worth 20 shillings or 240 old pence before the decimalization of 1971. Also called pound sterling.
Dollar
Money spent or available to be spent
Boardwalk shops competing for the tourist dollar.
Pound
See Table at currency.
Dollar
Official designation for currency in some parts of the world, including Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and elsewhere. Its symbol is $.
Pound
The primary unit of currency in Ireland and Cyprus before the adoption of the euro.
Dollar
(by extension) money generally.
Pound
A primary unit of currency in Scotland before the Act of Union (1707). Also called pound scots.
Dollar
A quarter of a pound or one crown, historically minted as a coin of approximately the same size and composition as a then-contemporary dollar coin of the United States, and worth slightly more.
Pound
The pound key on a telephone.
Dollar
Imported from the United States, and paid for in U.S. dollars. (Note: distinguish "dollar wheat", North American farmers' slogan, meaning a market price of one dollar per bushel.)
Pound
A heavy blow.
Dollar
(nuclear physics) A unit of reactivity equal to the interval between delayed criticality and prompt criticality.
Pound
The sound of a heavy blow; a thump.
Dollar
A silver coin of the United States containing 371.25 grains of silver and 41.25 grains of alloy, that is, having a total weight of 412.5 grains.
Pound
The act of pounding.
Dollar
A coin of the same general weight and value as the United States silver dollar, though differing slightly in different countries, formerly current in Mexico, Canada, parts of South America, also in Spain, and several other European countries.
Pound
An animal shelter, especially one operated by a public agency to house stray or confiscated animals.
Dollar
The value of a dollar; the unit of currency, differing in value in different countries, commonly employed in the United States and a number of other countries, including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, parts of the Carribbean, Liberia, and several others.
Pound
A public enclosure for the confinement of stray livestock.
Dollar
The basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
Pound
A tank or submerged cage, as on a boat, in which live fish or shellfish are kept.
Dollar
A piece of paper money worth one dollar
Pound
New England An establishment at which live lobsters are kept and sold, often also offering no-frills restaurant service.
Dollar
A United States coin worth one dollar;
The dollar coin has never been popular in the United States
Pound
A place in which vehicles impounded by the authorities are held until redeemed by their owners.
Dollar
A symbol of commercialism or greed;
He worships the almighty dollar
The dollar sign means little to him
Pound
(Archaic) A prison.
Pound
To strike repeatedly and forcefully, especially with the hand or a tool
Pounded the nail with a hammer.
Pound
To assault with military force
Pounded the bunker with mortars.
Pound
To beat to a powder or pulp; pulverize or crush
Pound corn into meal.
Pound
To instill by persistent, emphatic repetition
Pounded knowledge into the students' heads.
Pound
To produce energetically, as from forceful use of the hands. Often used with out
"a tinny piano pounding out Happy Birthday down the block" (Laura Kascischke).
Pound
To cause harm or loss to; affect adversely
Stocks that were pounded when energy prices rose.
Pound
To defeat soundly
Pounded their rivals in the season finale.
Pound
To attack verbally; criticize
Was pounded for months in the press.
Pound
(Slang) To drink quickly (a beverage, especially an alcoholic one). Often used with back or down
Pounded back a few beers after work.
Pound
To strike vigorous, repeated blows
He pounded on the table.
Pound
To move along heavily and noisily
The children pounded up the stairs.
Pound
To pulsate rapidly and heavily; throb
My heart pounded.
Pound
To move or work laboriously
A ship that pounded through heavy seas.
Pound
To confine (an animal) in a pound.
Pound
A unit of weight in various measurement systems
Pound
Ellipsis of pound weight
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of measure
Pound
A unit of mass in various measurement systems
Pound
Ellipsis of pound mass
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of measure
Pound
A unit of mass equal to 16 avoirdupois ounces (= 453.592 g). Today this value is the most common meaning of "pound" as a unit of weight.
Pound
A unit of mass equal to 12 troy ounces (≈ 373.242 g). Today, this is a common unit of mass when measuring precious metals, and is little used elsewhere.
Pound
A unit of force in various measurement systems
Pound
Ellipsis of pound force
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of measure
Pound
A unit of currency in various currency systems
Pound
The translated name of various non-English units of currency
Pound
The unit of currency used in the United Kingdom and its dependencies. It is divided into 100 pence. Symbol £.
Pound
Any of various units of currency used in Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan and Syria, and formerly in the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and Israel.
Pound
Any of various units of currency formerly used in the United States.
The Rhode Island pound; the New Hampshire pound
Pound
(US) The symbol # (octothorpe, hash, number sign)
Pound
A place for the detention of stray or wandering animals.
Dog pound
Pound
(metonymy) The people who work for the pound.
Pound
(UK) A place for the detention of automobiles that have been illegally parked, abandoned, etc.
Pound
A section of a canal between two adjacent locks.
Pound
A kind of fishing net, having a large enclosure with a narrow entrance into which fish are directed by wings spreading outward.
Pound
(Newfoundland) a division inside a fishing stage where cod is cured in salt brine
Pound
A hard blow.
Pound
To wager a pound on.
Pound
To confine in, or as in, a pound; to impound.
Pound
(transitive) To strike hard, usually repeatedly.
Pound
(transitive) To crush to pieces; to pulverize.
Pound
To eat or drink very quickly.
You really pounded that beer!
Pound
To pitch consistently to a certain location.
The pitcher has been pounding the outside corner all night.
Pound
To beat strongly or throb.
As I tiptoed past the sleeping dog, my heart was pounding but I remained silent.
My head was pounding.
Pound
To penetrate sexually, with vigour.
I was pounding her all night!
Pound
To advance heavily with measured steps.
Pound
(engineering) To make a jarring noise, as when running.
The engine pounds.
Pound
To strike repeatedly with some heavy instrument; to beat.
With cruel blows she pounds her blubbered cheeks.
Pound
To comminute and pulverize by beating; to bruise or break into fine particles with a pestle or other heavy instrument; as, to pound spice or salt.
Pound
To strike heavy blows; to beat.
Pound
To make a jarring noise, as in running; as, the engine pounds.
Pound
To confine in, or as in, a pound; to impound.
Pound
An inclosure, maintained by public authority, in which cattle or other animals are confined when taken in trespassing, or when going at large in violation of law; a pinfold.
Pound
A level stretch in a canal between locks.
Pound
A kind of net, having a large inclosure with a narrow entrance into which fish are directed by wings spreading outward.
Pound
A certain specified weight; especially, a legal standard consisting of an established number of ounces.
Pound
A British denomination of money of account, equivalent to twenty shillings sterling, and equal in value to about $4.86. There is no coin known by this name, but the gold sovereign is of the same value.
Pound
16 ounces;
He tried to lift 100 pounds
Pound
The basic unit of money in Great Britain; equal to 100 pence
Pound
The basic unit of money in Syria; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
The basic unit of money in the Sudan; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
The basic unit of money in Lebanon; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
Formerly the basic unit of money in Ireland; equal to 100 pence
Pound
The basic unit of money in Egypt; equal to 100 piasters
Pound
The basic unit of money in Cyprus; equal to 100 cents
Pound
A nontechnical unit of force equal to the mass of 1 pound with an acceleration of free fall equal to 32 feet/sec/sec
Pound
United States writer who lived in Europe; strongly influenced the development of modern literature (1885-1972)
Pound
A public enclosure for stray or unlicensed dogs;
Unlicensed dogs will be taken to the pound
Pound
The act of pounding (delivering repeated heavy blows);
The sudden hammer of fists caught him off guard
The pounding of feet on the hallway
Pound
Hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument;
The salesman pounded the door knocker
A bible-thumping Southern Baptist
Pound
Strike or drive against with a heavy impact;
Ram the gate with a sledgehammer
Pound on the door
Pound
Move heavily or clumsily;
The heavy man lumbered across the room
Pound
Move rhythmically;
Her heart was beating fast
Pound
Partition off into compartments;
The locks pound the water of the canal
Pound
Shut up or confine in any enclosure or within any bounds or limits;
The prisoners are safely pounded
Pound
Place or shut up in a pound;
Pound the cows so they don't stray
Pound
Break down and crush by beating, as with a pestle;
Pound the roots with a heavy flat stone
Pound
UK currency
The item cost fifty pounds.
Pound
A loud, heavy sound
The sound of pounding drums filled the room.
Common Curiosities
Can dollar refer to something other than currency?
Yes, it can colloquially mean money or a significant amount.
What is the pound?
The unit of currency for the United Kingdom.
Are dollar and pound values the same?
No, their values differ and are subject to exchange rates.
What does a dollar represent?
A unit of currency used in various countries.
Does pound only refer to currency?
No, it can also mean a unit of weight or a place for animals.
Do dollar and pound have the same historical origins?
No, they have different historical backgrounds.
Is the pound a decimal-based currency?
Yes, like the dollar.
How many cents make a dollar?
100 cents.
Is the pound used outside the UK?
Primarily in the UK, but also in some UK territories.
Can the value of the dollar and pound fluctuate?
Yes, based on economic conditions and exchange rates.
What symbols represent dollar and pound?
$, Pound: £.
Are there different types of dollars?
Yes, like the US dollar, Canadian dollar, etc.
What are cents and pence?
Subdivisions of the dollar and pound, respectively.
How many pence make a pound?
100 pence.
Do dollar and pound have different colloquial meanings?
Yes, dollar can mean wealth or a significant amount, while pound can refer to weight or an enclosure.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
