usury

noun

usu·​ry ˈyü-zhə-rē 

ˈyüzh-rē

plural usuries

1

: the lending of money with an interest charge for its use

especially : the lending of money at exorbitant interest rates

2

: an unconscionable or exorbitant rate or amount of interest

specifically : interest in excess of a legal rate charged to a borrower for the use of money

3

archaic : interest

Examples of usury in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The suits typically allege violations of state usury laws and federal racketeering or fair credit reporting statutes. —Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 13 Aug. 2024

The 17 individuals were charged with multiple crimes, including enterprise corruption, first and second-degree criminal usury, and first-degree promoting gambling, according to the 84-count indictment. —Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 6 June 2024

Additionally, usury caps on auto loans need to be strictly enforced, and the backdoor loopholes to debtors’ prisons should be closed. —Jack McCordick, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2023

Any thoughts? — Name Withheld From the Ethicist: Certain religious traditions do object to lending at interest, which was the original meaning of usury. —Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English usurie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin usuria, alteration of Latin usura, from usus, past participle of uti to use

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

usury

noun

usu·​ry ˈyüzh-(ə-)rē 

plural usuries

1

: the lending of money with an interest charge for its use

2

: a rate of interest that is very high or higher than the usual rate

Legal Definition

usury

noun

usu·​ry ˈyü-zhə-rē 

1

: the lending of money at exorbitant interest rates

specifically : the crime of charging or contracting to charge an unlawfully high rate of interest

2

: a rate or amount of interest charged in usury compare legal interest at interest sense 5

Etymology

Medieval Latin usuria interest, lending at exorbitant interest, alteration of Latin usura use, interest (i.e., sum paid for use of money), from usus use