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

The recent rise in Treasury yields has put upward pressure on mortgage rates, in turn souring expectations for the housing market and curbing refinancing activity. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

And, borrowers with strong credit and stable income who don't expect to pursue federal forgiveness may want to consider refinancing with a private lender to secure a lower interest rate. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

Likewise, refinancing a foreign currency mortgage can trigger taxable currency gain even though the homeowner has experienced no economic enrichment. — Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

When interest rates dropped during COVID-19, the couple refinanced, turning their original 30-year mortgage into a shorter-term loan. — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for refinance

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

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)