refinance

verb

re·​fi·​nance ˌrē-fə-ˈnan(t)s How to pronounce refinance (audio)
(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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Currently, the city must pay off a $500,000 bridge loan and other debts, which, if not refinanced or altered, will possibly result in the city filing for bankruptcy by November, Kennedy wrote. Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Suggesting timely offers or refinancing options By monitoring trends in behavior and account activity, lenders can reset repayment schedules or adjust credit lines before customers fall behind. Maulikkumar Pandya, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 Applications to refinance a home loan fell 4% for the week and were 19% higher than the same week one year ago. Diana Olick, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2025 If the premium compresses, new deals get harder, refinancing costs rise, conversions and warrant exercises add supply, and loans secured by crypto can demand more collateral at the worst moment. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for refinance

Word History

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of refinance was in 1995

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Cite this Entry

“Refinance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refinance. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Legal Definition

refinance

1 of 2 transitive verb
re·​fi·​nance ˌrē-fə-ˈnans, -ˈfī-ˌnans How to pronounce refinance (audio)
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)

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