usury

noun usu·ry \ ˈyü-zhə-rē , ˈyüzh-rē \

|Updated on: 30 May 2018

Definition of usury

plural usuries

1 archaic : interest

2 : the lending of money with an interest charge for its use; especially : the lending of money at exorbitant interest rates

3 : 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

See usury defined for English-language learners

See usury defined for kids

Recent Examples of usury from the Web

More than 12 states, including Pennsylvania, effectively prohibit traditional payday loans through criminal usury laws and statutes that cap annual interest rates, yet the industry remains robust.

— jeremy roebuck, Philly.com, "Lawyer who helped top payday lenders prey on financially desperate is sentenced to 8 years in prison," 25 May 2018
America’s top marginal tax rate stayed at ninety-one per cent until 1964, and anti-usury laws kept a ceiling on interest rates until the late seventies.

— caleb crain, The New Yorker, "Is Capitalism a Threat to Democracy?," 7 May 2018
The industry argues that the advances are technically not loans — the money is paid back only if the plaintiff wins a settlement or a jury award — and are therefore exempt from state usury laws.

— matthew goldstein and jessica silver-greenberg, New York Times, "Prosecutors Investigate Firms That Offer Plaintiffs Early Cash," 19 Mar. 2018
The four companies are affiliated with the Habematolel Pomo tribe, which has argued that it is not governed by state laws and should not have to comply with state usury rules.

— stacy cowley, New York Times, "Consumer Watchdog’s Latest Budget Request: $0," 18 Jan. 2018
The weakest members of society should be helped to defend themselves against usury, just as poor peoples should be helped to derive real benefit from micro-credit, in order to discourage the exploitation that is possible in these two areas.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Checking in on America's Newest State, Foxconnsin," 8 Feb. 2018
The federal legislation being considered includes a provision saying state usury laws wouldn’t apply to ISAs, since the agreements technically don’t charge interest.

— jillian berman, WSJ, "Students Get Tuition Aid for a Piece of Their Future," 10 Sep. 2017
The 12% annual interest rate may sound excessive, but it is actually allowed as an exception to the normal maximum rate of interest permitted in most transactions in California under the state’s usury laws.

— donie vanitzian, latimes.com, "Charging interest on interest on past-due HOA accounts is a no-no," 9 Sep. 2017
The CFPB lawsuit accuses the companies of collecting on loans that violated state usury and lender licensing laws; an $800 loan carried a contract that would require the consumer to repay $3,320 over 10 months.

— steve vockrodt, kansascity.com, "Federal regulator sues four payday lending companies operating in Kansas," 27 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'usury.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of usury

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

USURY Defined for English Language Learners

usury

noun

Definition of usury for English Language Learners

: the practice of lending money and requiring the borrower to pay a high amount of interest

Law Dictionary

usury

noun usu·ry \ ˈyü-zhə-rē \

legal Definition of usury

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 5

Origin and Etymology of usury

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

Learn More about usury

Spanish Central: Translation of usury Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about usury

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up usury? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

usury

Definition of usury

Recent Examples of usury from the Web

Origin and Etymology of usury

Other Economics Terms

USURY Defined for English Language Learners

usury

Definition of usury for English Language Learners

Law Dictionary

usury

legal Definition of usury

Origin and Etymology of usury

Learn More about usury

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

voracity

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

If the Shoe Fits

On the Disruption of 'Disrupt'

'Than': What Follows It and Why

Words We're Watching: 'B side'

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Name More Food!

Yearbook Superlatives Quiz

True or False?

SCRABBLE® Sprint

If the Shoe Fits

On the Disruption of 'Disrupt'

Trending: 'Asylum' Trends as Policies Draw Attention

Name More Food!

Ghost Word

usury

Definition of usury

Recent Examples of usury from the Web

Origin and Etymology of usury

Other Economics Terms

USURY Defined for English Language Learners

usury

Definition of usury for English Language Learners

Law Dictionary

usury

legal Definition of usury

Origin and Etymology of usury

Learn More about usury

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

If the Shoe Fits

On the Disruption of 'Disrupt'

Trending: 'Asylum' Trends as Policies Draw Attention

Name More Food!

Ghost Word