filthy lucre UK /ˌfɪlθi ˈl(j)uːkə/US /ˌfɪlθi ˈlukəɹ/ noun1 •(humorous) Money, especially if obtained dishonestly.A Bishop then must be blamelesse, […] Not giuen to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, not couetous; […] — 1611