Learn English – What’s the term for a person who can/will do anything for money

word-request

Is there any term that describes a person who can/will do anything for money? Help me filling the blank.

Do you know what did Tom do? He sold secret information of his own country
Yeah, possible! He's a/an ______________________. He will/can do anything for money.

Best Answer

Nouns:

  • Grafter. 1, 2 (def. 2 in both cases). Someone who engages in and benefits from graft, which is the abuse of one's position of (often political) power or authority for the purpose of gaining money by illegal or immoral means. It would not be appropriate to call a filing clerk who copied and sold classified papers a grafter.

  • Money-grubber. 1, 2. Someone who's solely or overly interested in money and will take almost any opportunity to acquire more. The term focuses more on the desire for money than the willingness to do anything to get it, though someone money grubbing would be willing to do many things (but not necessarily anything) others aren't in order to get paid.

I do know of a word that fits exactly what you're after, but it's extremely rude and vulgar. See below if you're interested.

Whore. Typically this means prostitute, but modern and informal usage has expanded it to refer to someone who will do anything, especially immoral or degrading acts, for money or gain. Synonyms (prostitute, hooker, etc.) don't carry this expanded meaning.

Adjectives:

  • Venal. The right meaning, but wrong type of word. The noun form, venality, is the quality of being venal, not a person who is venal.
  • For sale. Informal, meaning venal or able to be bought or bribed. "I can't believe Judge Watkins is presiding over the mob trial; everyone knows he's for sale." "His access to the credit card database is for sale to the highest bidder."