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 book explained how to calculate interest rates, circumvent the Church’s usury laws, apportion profits, and assess revenues and costs. —Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025

When the bill comes due after seven years of high living, infidelity, gambling, drinking, and usury, Jabez’s only hope seems to be Daniel Webster (Edward Arnold), the revered and charismatic politician and orator. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025

Nine years later, he was convicted of criminal usury and enterprise corruption, then sentenced to three years in prison. —Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2025

These included allegations of unconscionability, usury and unfair practices. —Aj Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

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