noun
leverage
LEHV-rihj
noun
1
Power or influence used to get an advantage or achieve a desired result.
"The union used its leverage to negotiate better pay and conditions."
2
The use of borrowed money to increase the potential return of an investment.
"The fund relies heavily on leverage, which increases both potential gains and risk."
verb
1
To use something to maximum advantage.
"The startup leveraged its social media following to launch the new product."
How to Use Leverage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsing something you have — influence, money, or a position — to get a bigger result than you could otherwise.
When to use it
Common in business and finance contexts; using "leverage" as a verb ("to leverage something") is standard in that register but can sound like jargon elsewhere.
Common pairings
leverage a relationship
financial leverage
gain leverage
Word Forms
leveraged past tense, leverages plural, leverages singular
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The union used its _____ to negotiate better pay and conditions.
Etymology
From "lever" plus the suffix "-age"; the financial and figurative senses came later, extending the physical idea of a lever multiplying force.