Skip to content
SlangWordsOnline

loonie

nounColloquial

A Canadian English slang term. Browse all Canadian slang.

What it means

  1. The Canadian one-dollar coin, and by extension the Canadian dollar itself — financial press included.

In use

  • You'll need a loonie for the cart.

  • The loonie slipped against the US dollar again.

    Note: Standard in business reporting — this is not a jokey usage.

Where it comes from

The coin, introduced in 1987, carries a common loon on the reverse. The nickname arrived immediately and the Royal Canadian Mint later trademarked it.

First attested: 1987