subprime

adjective

sub·​prime ˈsəb-ˌprīm 

1

: having or being an interest rate that is higher than a prime rate and is extended chiefly to a borrower who has a poor credit rating or is judged to be a potentially high risk for default (as due to low income)

subprime mortgages

a subprime loan

2

: extending or obtaining a subprime loan

subprime lenders

subprime borrowers

Examples of subprime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What Regulators Need to Do — and Quickly The architecture of this market — borrowed against borrowed against borrowed, with valuations set by sellers and risks distributed across jurisdictions no single regulator can see whole — is not identical to subprime mortgages in 2006. —Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

There are no subprime conditions. —Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026

There are no subprime conditions. —Nick Caloway, CBS News, 26 May 2026

Exotic mortgages should not be confused with the subprime paper mortgages that were a big part of the 2008 mortgage meltdown. —Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 7 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subprime

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime

Legal Definition

subprime

adjective

sub·​prime ˈsəb-ˌprīm 

1

: having or being an interest rate that is higher than a prime rate and is extended especially to low-income borrowers

subprime mortgages

2

: extending or obtaining a subprime loan

subprime lenders

subprime borrowers