Pound vs. Quid — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 18, 2023
Pound is the official currency of the UK, symbolized as "£"; Quid is an informal slang term for the Pound.
Difference Between Pound and Quid
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The Pound and Quid both refer to the currency of the United Kingdom. However, while "Pound" is its official and formal name, "Quid" serves as an informal, colloquial term.
Both Pound and Quid are used interchangeably in everyday conversation, especially in local and informal settings. But when talking in formal or international contexts, "Pound" is the preferred term.
The symbol representing the Pound is "£", and this symbol is universally recognized. On the other hand, Quid lacks such a symbol and is recognized more by the spoken word than in written form.
Historically, the Pound has been the standard unit of currency for centuries in the UK. The term "Quid", while having older origins, became popular slang in the 20th century for the Pound.
When traveling to the UK, it's useful for visitors to know both terms. While receipts, banking statements, and official documents will mention "Pound" or "£", in street markets or pubs, one might hear "Quid" more frequently.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Official currency of the UK.
Informal slang for the UK currency.
Usage
Formal and official contexts.
Informal and colloquial contexts.
Symbol
£
No specific symbol.
Historical Relevance
Standard UK currency for centuries.
Became popular slang in the 20th century.
Recognition
Universally recognized in written and spoken form.
More commonly recognized in spoken form.
Compare with Definitions
Pound
The official currency of the United Kingdom.
The Pound is stronger than it was last year.
Quid
Slang term for the British Pound Sterling.
How many quid is this souvenir?
Pound
To crush or grind something into a powder or paste.
She pounded the spices using a mortar and pestle.
Quid
Informal term for money in general.
He made a quick quid selling vintage items.
Pound
A unit of weight equal to 16 ounces (453.592 grams).
Quid
A piece of something, especially chewing tobacco.
He took a quid of tobacco and placed it in his cheek.
Pound
A unit of apothecary weight equal to 12 ounces (373.242 grams). See Table at measurement.
Quid
A basic principle or the real nature of something.
Getting to the quid of the matter is crucial.
Pound
A unit of weight differing in various countries and times.
Quid
The intrinsic nature of something.
The quid of their argument was about trust.
Pound
See pound-force.
Quid
A cut, as of chewing tobacco.
Pound
See pound-mass.
Quid
A pound sterling.
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.
Quid
The inherent nature of something.
Pound
See Table at currency.
Quid
A member of a section of the Democratic-Republican Party between 1805 and 1811, following John Randolph of Roanoke. (From tertium quid.)
Pound
The primary unit of currency in Ireland and Cyprus before the adoption of the euro.
Quid
Paired with quo, in reference to the phrase this for that: something offered in exchange for something else.
Pound
A primary unit of currency in Scotland before the Act of Union (1707). Also called pound scots.
Quid
(historical) A sovereign or guinea, that is, a certain coin or amount of money.
Pound
The pound key on a telephone.
Quid
Pound sterling usually only used with a whole number of pounds
Seven quid for a toastie#English!toastie? You're joking aren't you?!
Pound
A heavy blow.
Quid
Various national currencies typically known by the name "pound"
Pound
The sound of a heavy blow; a thump.
Quid
Euro
Pound
The act of pounding.
Quid
Dollar, dollars
Pound
An animal shelter, especially one operated by a public agency to house stray or confiscated animals.
Quid
A piece of material for chewing, especially chewing tobacco.
Pound
A public enclosure for the confinement of stray livestock.
Quid
The act of chewing such tobacco
Pound
A tank or submerged cage, as on a boat, in which live fish or shellfish are kept.
Quid
To chew tobacco.
Pound
New England An establishment at which live lobsters are kept and sold, often also offering no-frills restaurant service.
Quid
(of a horse) To let food drop from the mouth whilst chewing.
Pound
A place in which vehicles impounded by the authorities are held until redeemed by their owners.
Quid
A portion suitable to be chewed; a cud; as, a quid of tobacco.
Pound
(Archaic) A prison.
Quid
An English coin, a sovereign.
They invited him to come to-morrow, . . . and bring half a quid with him.
Pound
To strike repeatedly and forcefully, especially with the hand or a tool
Pounded the nail with a hammer.
Quid
To drop from the mouth, as food when partially chewed; - said of horses.
Pound
To assault with military force
Pounded the bunker with mortars.
Quid
The basic unit of money in Great Britain; equal to 100 pence
Pound
To beat to a powder or pulp; pulverize or crush
Pound corn into meal.
Quid
Something for something; that which a party receives (or is promised) in return for something he does or gives or promises
Pound
To instill by persistent, emphatic repetition
Pounded knowledge into the students' heads.
Quid
A wad of something chewable as tobacco
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
A unit of weight equal to 16 ounces.
The package weighs two pounds.
Pound
To hit or strike repeatedly.
He pounded the door angrily.
Pound
A place where stray animals are kept.
The lost dog was taken to the pound.
Common Curiosities
Are Pound and Quid the same in value?
Yes, a Quid is equivalent to one Pound.
Are there coins called Quids?
No, coins are referred to by their denomination, like "pence."
Do other countries use the term Quid?
While some English-speaking countries may understand it, it's distinctively British.
Is Pound used for weights and currency only?
No, "Pound" has multiple meanings including a unit of weight, a currency, and an action, among others.
Is Quid used outside of the UK?
While understood internationally, Quid is predominantly British slang.
Can I use Quid in formal documents?
It's best to use "Pound" or "£" in formal settings.
Is there a symbol for Quid like "£" for Pound?
No, Quid doesn't have a specific symbol.
Can I say "Quids" for plural?
Yes, "Quids" can be used informally, like "a few quids."
Is "Pound Sterling" the same as "Pound"?
"Pound Sterling" is the full name, but "Pound" is often used for short.
Can I hear Quid in business transactions?
In informal business settings, possibly, but it's more formal to use "Pound."
Is the Pound symbol "£" used for other currencies?
The "£" symbol primarily represents the UK Pound, but some other territories with a historical link to the UK might use it too.
Are there other slangs for currencies?
Yes, many currencies have slang or informal names.
Why is the Pound symbol "£"?
It originates from the Latin word "Libra", which means "pound" in weight.
Are there other meanings to Quid besides currency?
Yes, it can refer to a piece of something, like chewing tobacco, or the intrinsic nature of something.
How did Quid become slang for Pound?
The origins are unclear, but it's been used for centuries.
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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.
