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Definition of greenback

greenback

/ˈɡriːn.bæk/
green · back
Plural:greenbacks
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greenback Lexical Profile

greenback Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

American A piece of United States paper money, especially a one-dollar bill; originally, a legal-tender note printed in green on the reverse side during the American Civil War.

Example

"Investors flocked to the safety of the greenback amid rising global economic uncertainty."

2

North American Any of various small fish or frogs with a greenish back, especially the greenback cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii stomias) native to the headwaters of the South Platte and Arkansas rivers in Colorado.

Example

"Conservationists have worked for decades to restore the native greenback to high-altitude mountain streams in the Rockies."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for greenback

• Nearby Words

green tree skink
green turtle
green water snake
greenback
greenbelt
greenbul
greenery

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 1860s during the American Civil War, referring to the distinctive green ink used to print the reverse side of United States legal-tender notes issued to finance the Union war effort.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Greenback. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/greenback
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