loan

Money you borrow and must pay back, often with an extra charge.

• I need a loan to buy a car.
• She paid off her student loans.
• The bank refused his loan application.

How to use it: loan from someone/something (She got a loan from the bank.); loan for something (We need a loan for a new car.)

Similar words: advance

Common phrases: bank loan, student loan, take a loan

Money or property given to someone for a limited time, with the promise of returning it.

• Library loans must be returned by Friday.
• The painting is on loan to our museum.
• We arranged a temporary loan of the equipment.

How to use it: on loan from someone/something (The painting is on loan from a museum.); loan of something (Thank you for the loan of your bicycle.)

Similar words: advance

Common phrases: library loan, on loan, long-term loan

An agreement that sets the conditions and duties for borrowing and returning money or property.

• The loan requires monthly payments.
• They changed the terms of her loan.
• He failed to meet his obligations under the loan.

Similar words: loan agreement, lending agreement

Common phrases: loan terms, loan agreement, loan obligations

To let someone use money or something you own, expecting them to return it.

• Can you loan me ten dollars?
• He loaned his tools to a neighbor.
• The museum loans paintings to schools.

How to use it: loan someone something (Can you loan me your bike?); loan something to someone (She loaned her car to her brother.)

Similar words: lend

Opposites: borrow

Common phrases: loan someone something, loan money, loan to someone

To let an actor under contract work temporarily for another film studio.

• The studio agreed to loan its star.
• She was loaned to another studio for one film.
• They often loaned actors out for major productions.

How to use it: loan someone to something (The studio loaned its leading actor to a rival company.)

Similar words: lend

Common phrases: loan an actor, loan to something, loan out someone