Meaning & use

Lending

noun·Everyday

Last updated

The act of providing money, property, or another asset to someone with the expectation that it will be returned, often with interest.

See it in a sentence

The bank tightened its lending standards after the financial crisis.

Peer-to-peer lending allows individuals to borrow directly from other people rather than banks.

A note on using this word

Lending is the present participle of 'lend,' but it functions widely as a noun in financial contexts, as in 'lending institution' or 'lending rate.'

Words with a similar meaning

loaningfinancing

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

borrowing

Another way to use it

2. verb

Giving something to someone for temporary use, on the understanding that it will be returned.

She's always lending her umbrella to coworkers on rainy days.

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