deposit
deposit — verb
1. to put something down in a particular place, often in a careful, firm, or delibe
to put something down in a particular place, often in a careful, firm, or deliberate way
Élise deposited her heavy bag on the kitchen counter and sighed with relief.
deposit + object + on [surface]
The river deposited a thick layer of mud across the farmer's field after the flood.
natural process: river deposits [substance]
Adina carefully deposited the glass vase into a box filled with soft padding.
Over thousands of years, the wind deposited fine dust that formed the fertile soil of the region.
- deposit carefully
- deposit firmly
- deposit on a surface
- deposit into a container
- deposited by wind/river/water
Grammar Patterns
deposit + object + preposition + place
Usage Note
This sense often appears with a location phrase (on, in, into, onto) that tells where the object is placed.
Common Mistakes
2. to place funds in a bank account so the money is kept secure and can be accessed
to place funds in a bank account so the money is kept secure and can be accessed later
Owen deposited his paycheck into his savings account every Friday afternoon.
deposit + [money] + into + [account]
Indra checked her phone to confirm that the payment had been deposited in her account.
passive: be deposited in [account]
The bank teller asked William to fill out a form before he could deposit the cash.
Many workers choose to have their salaries deposited directly into their bank accounts each month.
- deposit a check
- deposit cash
- deposit into an account
- direct deposit
- deposit funds
- withdraw
to take money out of a bank account
Grammar Patterns
deposit + money + in/into + account
Usage Note
The object is typically money, a check, or a payment. If no account is mentioned, 'in a bank' or 'into an account' is still implied.
Common Mistakes
3. to give a sum of money upfront to confirm a purchase or rental arrangement, eith
to give a sum of money upfront to confirm a purchase or rental arrangement, either as a first installment or as a refundable guarantee
Noor deposited two thousand dollars on the apartment to hold it until she could move in.
deposit + [money] + on + [rental/purchase]
The wedding venue required the couple to deposit half the total cost when they signed the contract.
Abigail decided to deposit a refundable fee with the car rental agency for the weekend trip.
Home buyers often need to deposit a percentage of the price before the bank approves their loan.
- deposit on a house
- deposit on a car
- deposit a fee
- deposit as a guarantee
- fully refundable deposit
- put down
more informal; 'I put down a deposit on the house'
- pay a deposit
periphrastic; more common in everyday speech than the single verb 'deposit' in this sense
Grammar Patterns
deposit + money + on + [item]
Usage Note
This sense differs from verb sense 2 in purpose: here the payment is to secure a purchase, rental, or agreement, not to store money in an account.
Common Mistakes
deposit — noun
1. solid matter that builds up on a surface or sinks within a fluid through natural
solid matter that builds up on a surface or sinks within a fluid through natural action
After the flood, a muddy deposit covered the floors of nearly every house in the village.
The old kettle had a hard white deposit of minerals from years of boiling tap water.
deposit of [minerals/scale]
Scientists studied the layers of deposit at the bottom of the lake to understand the region's climate history.
A greasy deposit coated the kitchen walls above the stove from years of cooking.
The plumber found a thick deposit of calcium blocking the shower head.
- mineral deposit
- muddy deposit
- hard deposit
- deposit of calcium
- deposit left by
Grammar Patterns
deposit of + [substance]
a + adjective + deposit
Usage Note
Distinguish from 'sediment': sediment is specifically material that settles from a liquid (water, wine), while deposit is broader — it can also refer to material left by wind, glaciers, or chemical processes in a kettle.
Common Mistakes
2. a naturally occurring layer or accumulation of a valuable substance, such as min
a naturally occurring layer or accumulation of a valuable substance, such as minerals, coal, oil, or gas, found under the ground
The mining company discovered a rich deposit of copper deep beneath the mountain range.
rich deposit of [mineral]
Zuri's research focused on identifying oil deposits that could be extracted without harming nearby villages.
Geologists believe the region holds substantial natural gas deposits that have not yet been explored.
The country's large iron ore deposits attract investment from foreign mining companies each year.
A team of engineers is studying the diamond deposits found deep in the riverbed.
diamond/gold/coal deposits
- mineral deposit
- gold deposit
- oil deposit
- gas deposit
- coal deposit
- rich deposit
- large deposit
- underground deposit
Grammar Patterns
[mineral/gas/oil] + deposit(s)
a deposit of + [natural resource]
Usage Note
This sense always refers to underground resources. Do not confuse with noun sense 1, which describes surface-level or liquid-borne layers.
Common Mistakes
3. a payment placed into a financial account for safekeeping or later use
a payment placed into a financial account for safekeeping or later use
Heloísa made a large deposit into her account after selling her old car.
make a deposit into [account]
The bank statement showed a deposit of six hundred dollars on the first of the month.
Customers can make a cash deposit at any branch or through the ATM outside.
Every deposit under ten thousand dollars is processed automatically by the system.
- make a deposit
- cash deposit
- bank deposit
- deposit slip
- deposit account
- direct deposit
- minimum deposit
- withdrawal
money taken out of a bank account
Grammar Patterns
make a deposit
deposit into [account]
Usage Note
This sense refers only to putting money into an account. For taking money out, use 'withdrawal'. The phrase 'deposit slip' is the paper form used for this purpose.
Common Mistakes
4. an upfront sum given to reserve an item or begin a purchase, with the balance du
an upfront sum given to reserve an item or begin a purchase, with the balance due afterward
Eri put a deposit on a new car after saving enough for the first payment.
put a deposit on [item]
The family used their savings to pay the deposit on a small house in the suburbs.
Léa paid a deposit of five hundred dollars to reserve the wedding photographer for her big day.
Most furniture stores ask for a thirty percent deposit before they start making your order.
- put down a deposit
- pay a deposit
- deposit on a house
- deposit on a car
- refundable deposit
- non-refundable deposit
- require a deposit
- down payment
exact synonym; commonly used for house or car purchases
- initial payment
more formal, used in contracts
- first installment
focuses on it being the first of several payments
- final payment
the last installment that completes the total price
- balance
the remaining amount after the deposit is paid
Grammar Patterns
put down a deposit on + [item]
pay a deposit on + [item]
Usage Note
Unlike noun sense 5 (security deposit), this deposit is NOT refundable if you change your mind — it becomes part of the total price. The remaining balance is paid later.
Common Mistakes
5. a refundable sum a person pays to borrow or rent something, which the lender giv
a refundable sum a person pays to borrow or rent something, which the lender gives back if the item is returned in good condition
The landlord asked for a deposit of one month's rent before handing over the keys.
deposit of [amount/term]
Shanti got her full deposit back after she cleaned the apartment and fixed the broken shelf.
The tool rental shop keeps your deposit until you return the equipment in good condition.
Owen was careful to photograph every scratch in the room so his deposit would not be unfairly deducted.
- pay a deposit
- get your deposit back
- return the deposit
- deposit on an apartment
- rental deposit
- security deposit
- damage deposit
- lose your deposit
- refundable deposit
- security deposit
the full term; more formal and precise
- bond
common in British and Australian English for rental deposits
Grammar Patterns
pay a deposit on + [rental]
leave a deposit for + [item]
Usage Note
Distinguish from noun sense 4 (down payment): a security deposit is refundable and is held as protection against damage or loss. A down payment is non-refundable and goes toward the purchase price. In Taiwan, this is often called 押金 (yājīn).
Common Mistakes
on deposit
idiomMoney that is kept in a bank account, usually earning interest.
Maya keeps her savings on deposit at the local bank.
Is it better to keep cash on deposit or invest it?
Word family
- depositornounB1
- depositionnounC1
- depositorynounC1
- deposit accountnounB1
- safety deposit boxnounB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/2
'Deposit (money)' is the most general term for putting money into a bank account — it focuses on the customer's action. 'Pay in' is more informal and common in British English; for instance, a UK bank customer might say 'I'll pay this check in tomorrow.' 'Credit' looks at the same action from the bank's side — when a bank credits your account, they add the money to your balance. 'Transfer' differs in that it moves money between accounts, often electronically, and does not necessarily involve a physical branch or ATM. For everyday use: say 'deposit' when you put cash or a check into your own account; say 'transfer' when you send money to someone else's account.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'deposit' comes from Latin 'depositus', the past participle of 'deponere', which is made up of 'de-' (down, away) and 'ponere' (to place). So the original meaning was simply 'to put down.' It entered English through French in the 1500s, and by the 1600s people were already using it for money placed in a bank for safekeeping.