Your comprehensive guide to forex trading terminology. Master the language of trading with clear, concise definitions of essential terms and concepts.
A trading strategy that exploits price differences of the same asset across different markets or brokers to profit from the discrepancy.
The price at which a trader can buy a currency pair. Also known as the offer price.
A technical indicator that measures market volatility by calculating the average range between high and low prices over a specified period.
Market slang for the Australian Dollar (AUD), often referring to the AUD/USD currency pair.
The first currency in a currency pair. For example, in EUR/USD, EUR is the base currency.
A market characterized by falling prices and negative investor sentiment.
The price at which a trader can sell a currency pair.
A technical analysis tool consisting of a middle band (SMA) and two outer bands that measure volatility and identify overbought or oversold conditions.
A price movement through an identified level of support or resistance, often followed by increased volatility and trading volume.
A market characterized by rising prices and positive investor sentiment.
Market slang for the GBP/USD currency pair, named after the transatlantic cable used to transmit exchange rates in the 19th century.
A type of price chart that displays the high, low, open, and closing prices for a specific period.
A derivative financial instrument that allows traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset.
A period of sideways price movement where the market is range-bound, typically occurring before a significant breakout.
A temporary price reversal against the prevailing trend, usually retracing 10-20% of the previous move before resuming the original direction.
A currency pair that does not include the US Dollar, such as EUR/GBP or AUD/JPY.
The quotation of two different currencies, with the value of one currency being quoted against the other.
A trading strategy where positions are opened and closed within the same trading day.
A situation where price movement and an indicator move in opposite directions, often signaling a potential trend reversal.
A bullish reversal chart pattern with two consecutive lows at approximately the same level, resembling the letter "W".
A bearish reversal chart pattern with two consecutive peaks at approximately the same level, resembling the letter "M".
A market condition where prices are generally moving lower over time, characterized by lower highs and lower lows.
The peak-to-trough decline during a specific period for an investment or trading account.
A computerized system that matches buy and sell orders for securities in the market.
A type of moving average that gives more weight to recent prices, making it more responsive to new information than a simple moving average.
The value of a trading account, calculated as balance plus or minus open position profit/loss.
A currency pair that includes one major currency and one currency from an emerging or smaller economy, such as USD/TRY or EUR/ZAR.
An automated trading program that executes trades based on pre-programmed algorithms and trading rules without manual intervention.
Technical analysis tool using horizontal lines to indicate areas of support or resistance.
Foreign exchange market where currencies are traded. The largest and most liquid financial market globally.
The execution of an order to buy or sell a currency pair. A complete fill means the entire order was executed.
A continuation chart pattern that forms after a strong price move, resembling a rectangle that slopes against the preceding trend.
The unrealized gain or loss on open positions based on current market prices, which fluctuates until the position is closed.
Method of evaluating currencies by analyzing economic, social, and political forces.
A break in price levels on a chart where no trading occurs, often seen at market open after significant news.
Buying a currency pair with the expectation that it will increase in value.
Selling a currency pair with the expectation that it will decrease in value.
A reversal chart pattern with three peaks where the middle peak (head) is higher than the two outer peaks (shoulders), signaling a trend change.
A risk management strategy used to offset potential losses in one position by taking an opposite position.
An automated trading strategy that uses powerful computers to execute a large number of orders at extremely high speeds.
A mathematical calculation based on price and/or volume used to identify trading opportunities.
Trading positions that are opened and closed within the same trading day.
A charting technique that shows price movements with candlestick patterns indicating open, high, low, and close.
A slang term for a market maker or trader who holds positions for very short periods.
Market slang for the New Zealand Dollar (NZD), often referring to the NZD/USD currency pair.
An option that begins to function only when the underlying asset reaches a specified price level.
The use of borrowed capital to increase the potential return of an investment.
The ability to buy or sell an asset quickly without causing a significant price change.
An order to buy or sell a currency pair at a specified price or better, ensuring price control but not guaranteed execution.
Buying a currency pair with the expectation that its value will increase.
Market slang for the Canadian Dollar (CAD), named after the loon bird that appears on the Canadian one-dollar coin.
A standardized quantity of a financial instrument. Standard lot is 100,000 units of base currency.
A trend-following momentum indicator that shows the relationship between two moving averages.
The amount of money required in your account to open and maintain a leveraged position.
A broker's demand for an investor to deposit additional money to cover potential losses.
An order to buy or sell a currency pair immediately at the best available current price.
The most traded currency pairs in the forex market, all including the US Dollar: EUR/USD, USD/JPY, GBP/USD, USD/CHF, AUD/USD, USD/CAD, NZD/USD.
A lot size equal to 1,000 units of the base currency, one-tenth of a mini lot and one-hundredth of a standard lot.
A lot size equal to 10,000 units of the base currency, one-tenth of a standard lot, popular among retail traders.
Currency pairs that do not include the US Dollar but include other major currencies, such as EUR/GBP, EUR/JPY, or GBP/JPY.
A technical indicator that smooths price data by creating a constantly updated average price.
A key economic indicator showing the number of jobs added in the US economy, excluding farm workers.
A type of broker execution where orders are sent directly to liquidity providers without dealer intervention.
An instruction to execute a trade at a specified price.
A market condition where an asset has risen significantly and may be due for a price correction or reversal, often indicated by RSI above 70.
A market condition where an asset has fallen significantly and may be due for a price rebound, often indicated by RSI below 30.
An order to buy or sell a currency pair at a specified price in the future.
The smallest price move that a currency pair can make. Usually the fourth decimal place (0.0001).
A fractional pip, representing the fifth decimal place in most currency pairs (0.00001), allowing for more precise pricing.
A technical analysis indicator used to determine overall market trend and potential support/resistance levels based on prior period prices.
An open trade that is currently active and has not been closed.
The process of determining how much capital to allocate to a trade based on risk tolerance and account size.
A trading technique that analyzes raw price movements on charts without relying on technical indicators.
A temporary reversal in price against the prevailing trend, often seen as a buying or selling opportunity.
The second currency in a currency pair. In EUR/USD, USD is the quote currency.
A price level where selling pressure is expected to overcome buying pressure.
The process of identifying, analyzing, and mitigating uncertainty in investment decisions.
A trading strategy that involves buying at support and selling at resistance within a defined price range during consolidation periods.
A temporary reversal in the direction of a currency pair price that goes against the prevailing trend, often measured using Fibonacci levels.
A measure comparing the potential profit of a trade to its potential loss, used to evaluate trade worthiness (e.g., 1:2 means risking $1 to make $2).
A momentum oscillator that measures the speed and change of price movements.
A trading strategy that attempts to profit from small price changes by making numerous trades.
Selling a currency pair with the expectation that its value will decrease.
The difference between the expected price of a trade and the price at which it is executed.
The difference between the bid price and the ask price of a currency pair.
An order placed to close a position automatically when the price reaches a specified unfavorable level.
A price level where buying pressure is expected to overcome selling pressure.
A technical indicator that calculates the average price over a specified number of periods, giving equal weight to all prices.
A momentum indicator comparing a closing price to its price range over a given period, used to identify overbought and oversold conditions.
An order that becomes a market order when a specified price level is reached, used to limit losses or enter positions.
An interest fee paid or earned for holding a position overnight.
A trading style that attempts to capture short to medium-term gains over a period of days to weeks.
An order placed to close a position automatically when the price reaches a specified favorable level.
Method of evaluating currencies by analyzing statistical trends from trading activity.
The minimum price movement in a trading instrument, representing the smallest increment by which prices can change.
Specific periods when major financial centers are open for trading: Asian (Tokyo), European (London), and North American (New York) sessions.
A dynamic stop-loss order that moves with the market price to lock in profits while limiting potential losses.
The general direction in which the price of a currency pair is moving.
A diagonal line drawn on a chart connecting price highs or lows to identify and visualize the direction of a trend.
A chart pattern formed by converging trendlines, indicating consolidation before a potential breakout (ascending, descending, or symmetrical).
The profit or loss on open positions that have not yet been closed.
A market condition where prices are generally moving higher over time, characterized by higher highs and higher lows.
A measure of market volatility expectations, often called the "fear index," based on S&P 500 options prices.
A statistical measure of the dispersion of returns for a given currency pair.
The total number of shares or contracts traded for a specific security during a given period, indicating market activity and liquidity.
A condition where a currency pair moves in one direction and then quickly reverses, causing losses for traders.
A momentum indicator that measures overbought and oversold levels, similar to Stochastic Oscillator, ranging from 0 to -100.
A chart pattern where price action is confined between two converging trend lines, indicating potential breakout.
The trading symbol for Gold priced in US Dollars, commonly traded in forex markets.
Slang term for one billion units of currency, commonly used by institutional forex traders.
The return on an investment, typically expressed as a percentage. In forex, refers to interest rate differentials.
A situation where one participant's gain is exactly balanced by another's loss, as in currency trading.
A price range or area on a chart where support or resistance is expected based on historical price action.
Our dedicated support team is here to back you up with fast, friendly, and focused solutions – available 24/7
Tailored support for your unique trading needs and goals
Round-the-clock access to experienced professionals
Quick solutions when you need them most