Coffer
/ˈkɒfər/
nounB2
Definition
A coffer is a special box or container that holds money or important valuables safely. It can also mean the total amount of money that a group, company, or government has available to spend. People use this word when talking about money saved or kept carefully.
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See It in Action
A strong box or chest for money or valuables
- •The pirate hid his gold in a secret coffer beneath the floor.
- •The museum kept its rare coins in a locked coffer.
- •The old castle had a coffer full of precious jewels.
The total money or funds available to an organization or government
- •The city’s coffers were empty after the expensive festival.
- •The charity’s coffers grew after many donations.
- •The government opened its coffers to fund the new project.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "coffer" like "box," but a very strong and important box for money or treasures.
- ✓Picture an old wooden chest with a lock, filled with gold coins or important papers.
- ✓It's the feeling of safety when your money or valuables are kept in a strong place.
- ✓Sounds like "coffee" → imagine a coffee cup shaped like a treasure chest holding coins inside.
- ✓In stories, kings and queens keep their treasure in coffers inside castles.
- ✓NOT like "wallet" (small and easy to carry), a coffer is big and secure, often in one place.
- ✓NOT like "bank" (a place where money is kept by others), a coffer is the actual container or the money it holds.
- ✓NOT like "piggy bank" (for children’s small savings), coffers are for larger amounts and important funds.
Try Other Words
- •Treasure chest: a large box for valuable things (Use when talking about old or story-like containers)
- •Safe: a strong box with a lock for valuables (Use when emphasizing security and modern use)
- •Funds: money available for spending (Use when talking about the total money an organization has)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; root word "coffer")
- •Etymology: From Old French "coffre," from Latin "cophinus" meaning basket or chest
- •Historical development: Used since medieval times to mean a strong box for money or valuables
- •Modern usage: Still used in formal or literary language to mean money stored or available funds
- •Interesting fact: The word "coffer" is often used in stories about treasure or government budgets
Reflect & Connect
•How does the idea of a "coffer" help you understand how organizations keep and protect their money?
•Can you think of modern places or things that serve as "coffers" for money or valuables today?
Fill in the blanks
1.The king stored his wealth in a coffer to keep it ___ from thieves.
2.After the festival, the city’s coffers were ___ because of the high costs.
3.Unlike a wallet, a coffer is usually ___ and kept in one place.
4.The charity opened its coffers to ___ money for the new hospital.
5.The old pirate’s coffer was full of gold and ___.
6.Governments often use their coffers to ___ public projects.
7.A coffer is more secure than a simple box because it is often ___ or locked.