Loan — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈlōn/

Meaning & Definition of Loan

Loan (noun)

  1. money lent at interest
  2. something lent usually for the borrower's temporary use
  3. the grant of temporary use

Loan (verb)

  1. lend

Loan (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in advance

    similar: advance, bribe, douceur, peace offering, sop
    opposite: bestowal, comp, donation, donative, fairing (British), freebie, gift, giveaway, handsel, lagniappe, largesse, present, presentation, alms, benefaction, beneficence, benevolence, charity, contribution, dole, handout, oblation, offering, philanthropy, tithe, box (British), care package, foy (chiefly Scottish)

Loan (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give to another for temporary use with the understanding that it or a like thing will be returned

    "can you loan me your lawn mower this weekend?"

    similar: advance, lend
    related: furnish, give, grant, lease, let (chiefly British), rent
    opposite: borrow
    near: receive, take

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Loan

The most common words with a similar meaning to Loan:

advance, bribe, douceur, peace offering, sop, lend

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Loan

Words with the opposite meaning of Loan:

bestowal, comp, donation, donative, fairing, freebie, gift, giveaway, handsel, lagniappe, largesse, present, presentation, alms, benefaction, beneficence, benevolence, charity, contribution, dole, handout, oblation, offering, philanthropy, tithe, box, care package, foy, borrow

Related Words for Loan

furnish, give, grant, lease, let, rent

Near Antonyms of Loan

receive, take

Word Forms of Loan

Inflections: loaned, loaning, loans

Derived words: loanable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Loan

Middle English lone "something lent or owing, divine gift," borrowed from Old Norse lán "something lent, fief," going back to Germanic *laihna- "something granted or lent" (whence also Old Frisian lēn "fief, benefice, something lent," Old Saxon lēhan "gift, fief," Old High German lēhan, lēn "something lent, feudal tenure, benefice," and, from a variant *laihni-, Old English lǣn "something lent, grant, gift"), noun derivative from the verb *līhwan- "to grant, lend" delinquent:2

First known use: 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Loan

Words & Phrases Containing Loan

loan shark, loan-sharking, loan translation, bridge loan, call loan, demand loan, payday loan, savings and loan association

Frequently Asked Questions about Loan

What does "Loan" mean?

"Loan" means money lent at interest. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: money lent at interest. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Loan"?

Other words for "Loan" include advance, bribe, douceur, peace offering, sop and lend. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Loan" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Loan"?

There are 12 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Loan". Common alternatives include advance, bribe, douceur, peace offering, sop and lend.

What is the opposite of "Loan"?

Antonyms of "Loan" include bestowal, comp, donation, donative, fairing, freebie, gift and giveaway. Near antonyms include receive and take.

How do you use "Loan" in a sentence?

Examples of "Loan" in a sentence: "can you loan me your lawn mower this weekend?".

Is "Loan" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Loan" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Loan" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Loan" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Loan"?

"Loan" is pronounced /ˈlōn/.