Essential Trading Terminology

Learn Essential Trading Terminology — part of our Trading Foundations series on Trading Bite. Free trading education for Pakistan, India & Gulf traders. Educational use only; not financial advice.

Words every new trader should know

  • Long (buy) — you profit if price rises.
  • Short (sell) — you profit if price falls (common in CFD/forex).
  • Pip / tick / point — smallest usual price increment (varies by instrument).
  • Spread — difference between buy and sell price; a trading cost.
  • Leverage — controlling a larger position with smaller margin (amplifies risk).
  • Stop-loss — order to exit if price moves against you by a set amount.
  • Take-profit — order to exit at a target price.

Example

If EUR/USD moves from 1.0850 to 1.0860, that is a 10 pip move on most brokers (fourth decimal place). Your profit in account currency depends on position size — covered in Module 4.

Keep a personal glossary. Consistent vocabulary reduces mistakes when placing orders.