noun
shylock
SHEYE-lok
noun
1
A person who lends money at extremely high, often illegal, interest rates.
"He borrowed from a shylock to cover his gambling debts."
verb
1
To lend money at extortionate rates of interest.
"The loan shark shylocked struggling business owners."
How to Use Shylock
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA loan shark, or to act like one by charging exploitative interest.
Common mistake
The term originates from an antisemitic stereotype in Shakespeare's play; many now consider it offensive and avoid it in favor of "loan shark."
Word Forms
shylocked past tense, shylocks plural, shylocks singular
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He borrowed from a _____ to cover his gambling debts.
Etymology
From Shylock, the moneylender character in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice."