shylock
Shylock (noun) means a person who lends money at extremely high, often illegal, interest rates. Example: “He borrowed from a shylock to cover his gambling debts.”
How to use shylock
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA loan shark, or to act like one by charging exploitative interest.
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
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He borrowed from a _____ to cover his gambling debts.
Etymology
From Shylock, the moneylender character in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “shylock” mean?
The word “shylock” means a person who lends money at extremely high, often illegal, interest rates. In plain terms, a loan shark, or to act like one by charging exploitative interest.
How do you pronounce “shylock”?
“Shylock” is pronounced SHEYE-lok (/ˈʃaɪlɑk/ in IPA).
How do you use “shylock” in a sentence?
Here is “shylock” used in a sentence: “He borrowed from a shylock to cover his gambling debts.”
What part of speech is “shylock”?
Depending on how it is used, “shylock” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “shylock” have?
“Shylock” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who lends money at extremely high, often illegal, interest rates.