refinance

verb

re·​fi·​nance ˌrē-fə-ˈnan(t)s  (ˌ)rē-ˈfī-ˌnan(t)s 

ˌrē-(ˌ)fī-ˈnan(t)s

refinanced; refinancing; refinances

transitive + intransitive

: to renew or reorganize the financing of something : to provide for (an outstanding indebtedness) by making or obtaining another loan or a larger loan on fresh terms

refinance a mortgage

With rates tumbling, pay a little more now and retain the flexibility to refinance again next year.

—Daniel Kadlec

Examples of refinance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For owners carrying a rate above 7% — a common scenario for those who bought or refinanced during the peak rate period of late 2023 and early 2024 — today's figures may be worth acting on. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026

That cannot eliminate risk, but can make the risks surface more gradually, Rosenberg explained, saying impact could take place over longer time horizons as companies face refinancing at higher rates. —Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2026

Apollo is expected to extend its unsecured debt holdings as part of a refinancing transaction, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing a private matter. —Reshmi Basu, Bloomberg, 9 Apr. 2026

And even buildings with strong leasing found lenders unwilling to take a chance on refinancing commercial mortgages in an environment of uncertain leasing prospects. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for refinance

• circumstance
• exceedance
• happenstance
• advance
• askance
• enhance
• expanse
• finance
• freelance
• mischance
• perchance
• romance

Legal Definition

refinance

1 of 2 transitive verb

re·​fi·​nance ˌrē-fə-ˈnans, -ˈfī-ˌnans 

1

: to renew or reorganize the financing of

2

: to revise the terms of (a debt obligation) especially in regard to interest rate or payment schedule

refinance a mortgage

intransitive verb

: to finance something anew

refinance

2 of 2 noun

: a financing of something anew

especially : a revision of the terms of a debt obligation (as a mortgage)