loan

When you give money to another person and then expect repayment, you loan money. This word is usually used with money, but you can use it for others things that people borrow from you and then return.

• My friend loaned me his car for a few days.
• The bank might loan Carl some money so that he can start a new business.
• Can you loan me twenty dollars? I’ll pay you back tomorrow.
• Vanessa’s parents are loaning her some money so that she can buy a house.

You can also use "loan" as a noun.

• We got a loan from the bank to do some work on our house.
• The loan was repaid in five years.
• If you can avoid a loan you won’t have to pay interest.
• College loans can set a young person back for several years after graduation. (set back = reduce one’s financial situation)

A loan shark is a person who lends money at an extremely high rate of interest.

Note: The word "loan" is the opposite of "borrow." Try not to get these two words confused.

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Published on June 29, 2014.