noun

loan

lohn

noun

A sum of money lent to someone on the understanding that it will be paid back, often with interest.

"They took out a loan to buy their first car."

"The bank approved her loan application within a week."

verb

To lend something to someone for temporary use.

"The museum loaned the painting to a gallery in Paris."

"Can you loan me your ladder for the weekend?"

How to Use Loan

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMoney or an item given to someone temporarily, usually with the expectation it will be given back.

Common mistake

In careful writing, "lend" is the verb and "loan" is the noun (I lent him money / I gave him a loan), though using "loan" as a verb is now widely accepted, especially in American English.

UK vs US

British English traditionally favours "lend" as the verb; American English uses "loan" as a verb freely.

Common pairings

take out a loan loan repayment student loan loan someone money

Word Forms

loaned past tense, loans plural, loans plural, loans singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

They took out a _____ to buy their first car.

Etymology

From Old Norse lán, related to the verb "to leave (over)" — the same root family as "lend".

Rhymes for loan

Joan moan Roan groan Sloan Samoan Croatoan

See all rhymes for loan →