Dictionary

1loan

noun \ˈlōn\

: an amount of money that is given to someone for a period of time with a promise that it will be paid back : an amount of money that is borrowed

: permission to use something for a period of time

Full Definition of LOAN

1
a :  money lent at interest
b :  something lent usually for the borrower's temporary use
2
a :  the grant of temporary use
b :  the temporary duty of a person transferred to another job for a limited time
3
:  loanword
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Origin of LOAN

Middle English lon, from Old Norse lān; akin to Old English ̄n loan, lēon to lend, Latin linquere to leave, Greek leipein
First Known Use: 12th century

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

2loan

verb

: to give (something) to (someone) for a period of time

: to give (money) to (someone) who agrees to pay it back in the future

Full Definition of LOAN

transitive verb
:  lend
loan·able \ˈlō-nə-bəl\ adjective

Usage Discussion of LOAN

The verb loan is one of the words English settlers brought to America and continued to use after it had died out in Britain. Its use was soon noticed by British visitors and somewhat later by the New England literati, who considered it a bit provincial. It was flatly declared wrong in 1870 by a popular commentator, who based his objection on etymology. A later scholar showed that the commentator was ignorant of Old English and thus unsound in his objection, but by then it was too late, as the condemnation had been picked up by many other commentators. Although a surprising number of critics still voice objections, loan is entirely standard as a verb. You should note that it is used only literally; lend is the verb used for figurative expressions, such as lending a hand or lending enchantment.

First Known Use of LOAN

13th century

Related to LOAN

Synonyms
advance, lend
Antonyms
borrow

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer
LOAN Defined for Kids

1loan

noun \ˈlōn\

Definition of LOAN for Kids

1
:  money given with the understanding that it will be paid back
2
:  something given for a time to a borrower <That's not mine, it's a loan.>
3
:  permission to use something for a time <May I have the loan of your car?>

2loan

verb
loanedloan·ing

Definition of LOAN for Kids

:  to give to another for temporary use with the understanding that the same or a like thing will be returned <loan a book> <loan money>
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