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noun

usury

YOO-zhuh-ree

Usury (noun) means the practice of lending money at an unfairly high, often illegal, rate of interest. Example: “Medieval laws in some countries banned usury outright.”

noun
1
The practice of lending money at an unfairly high, often illegal, rate of interest.
"Medieval laws in some countries banned usury outright."
"Loan sharks are essentially practicing usury."

How to use usury

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCharging excessive interest on a loan.

Common pairings
charge usury laws against usury

Word forms

usuries plural

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Medieval laws in some countries banned _____ outright.

Etymology

From Latin usura ("interest, payment for use of money"), from usus ("use").

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for usury

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Frequently asked questions

What does “usury” mean?

The word “usury” means the practice of lending money at an unfairly high, often illegal, rate of interest. In plain terms, charging excessive interest on a loan.

How do you pronounce “usury”?

“Usury” is pronounced YOO-zhuh-ree (/ˈjuːʒəɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “usury” in a sentence?

Here is “usury” used in a sentence: “Medieval laws in some countries banned usury outright.”

What is another word for “usury”?

Words with a similar meaning to “usury” include oker.

What part of speech is “usury”?

“Usury” is a noun.

Where does the word “usury” come from?

The word “usury” comes from Latin. From Latin usura ("interest, payment for use of money"), from usus ("use").

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