Plural of Winnings
Cambridge labels “winnings” as a plural noun meaning money that has been won. The money sense therefore normally appears as “winnings,” while singular “winning” belongs to different senses and should not be treated as the simple singular counterpart in the same construction.
When it means money won, “winnings” is normally a plural-form noun. Use “winning” only for different noun senses or other grammatical roles.
Key details
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “winnings” for an amount of money won in a game, competition, or similar event.
Fast Test
If you mean prize/gambling money collectively, “winnings” is the normal form.
Usage Boundary
“Winning” exists as a noun, adjective, and participle in other senses, but those uses do not make it the ordinary singular of money-sense “winnings.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- winnings — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct dictionary evidence that winnings is a plural noun meaning money that has been won.