Phrase guide

penny for your thoughts

phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ˈpɛn.i fɔː jɔː ˈθɔːts/
  • UK: /ˈpɛn.i fəː jəː ˈθɔːts/
  • US: /ˈpɛn.i fɔɹ jʊɹ ˈθɑts/
  • US: /ˈpɛn.i fɔɹ jʊɹ ˈθɔts/
  • US: /ˈpɛn.i fɚ jɚ ˈθɑts/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

phrase

Meaning 1

Used to inquire into the thoughts and feelings of another, especially when the person appears pensive or conflicted.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: penni ajatuksistasi — inquiry into the thoughts
  • Hungarian: min jár az eszed? — inquiry into the thoughts
  • Hungarian: mi jár a fejedben? — inquiry into the thoughts
  • Polish: grosik za twoje myśli — inquiry into the thoughts
  • Swedish: ett öre för dina tankar — inquiry into the thoughts