budget

The amount of money available to spend on something.

• Our budget is two thousand pounds.
• The project went over budget.
• They increased the budget for school meals.

How to use it: budget for something (We have a small budget for advertising.); within/over budget (We finished the work within budget.)

Similar words: funds, allowance

Common phrases: budget for something, limited budget, over budget

A plan showing how much money you expect to receive and spend.

• We prepared a budget for next year.
• Our monthly budget includes rent and food.
• Have you checked the figures in the budget?

Similar words: financial plan, spending plan

Common phrases: monthly budget, prepare a budget, household budget, annual budget

A small amount of money to spend, requiring you to choose carefully.

• We are travelling on a budget.
• She feeds four people on a tight budget.
• Can you furnish a flat on a small budget?

How to use it: on a budget (We need a holiday that suits people on a budget.)

Common phrases: on a budget, tight budget, small budget

Low in price and suitable for someone with little money to spend.

• We stayed in a budget hotel.
• This budget phone has a good camera.
• They chose the budget option for their holiday.

Similar words: cheap, inexpensive, low-cost

Opposites: expensive

Common phrases: budget hotel, budget airline, budget option

One thing listed in a spending plan that you intend to pay for.

• Travel is a separate budget item.
• Each budget line covers a different expense.
• We added a budget item for new equipment.

Similar words: expense item, line item

Common phrases: budget item, budget line, budget entry

Cheap enough for people who have little money to spend.

• They booked a budget flight.
• We found a good budget hotel.
• The shop sells budget furniture for students.

Similar words: cheap, inexpensive, affordable

Opposites: expensive

Common phrases: budget airline, budget hotel, budget accommodation

To plan how you will use your money or time.

• We need to budget carefully.
• She budgets her time between work and study.
• I budgeted thirty pounds for food.

How to use it: budget for something (You should budget for unexpected costs.); budget an amount for something (We budgeted two hours for the journey.)

Similar words: plan, allocate

Common phrases: budget for something, budget your time, budget carefully, budget each month

To set aside or include money for something in a spending plan.

• We budgeted extra money for repairs.
• The council has budgeted a million pounds for housing.
• No funds were budgeted for new equipment.

How to use it: budget an amount for something (They budgeted five hundred pounds for equipment.)

Similar words: allocate, earmark

Common phrases: budget for something, budget an amount, budget money for something