loan

loan · noun/verb

imported

Definitions

noun/verb

  1. 1.

    A sum of money that is borrowed and expected to be paid back with interest.

  2. 2.

    To lend something, especially money.

  3. 3.

    The act of lending something.

Forms

plural: loans

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    loan shark — a person who lends money at very high interest rates
  • •
    on loan — temporarily given to someone else for their use
  • •
    student loan — money borrowed to pay for education
  • •
    take out a loan — to borrow money formally from a bank

Related words

Antonyms: repayment
See also: borrow, credit, debt, lend
Synonyms: advance, credit, lend

Etymology

From Old Norse lan ("loan"), related to Old English laen ("loan, gift"). The word replaced the native English lend in some contexts, especially in American English.