Well-read · Money · Law & order
Usury: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Usury noun. The lending of money at unreasonably high rates of interest.
How to say it
YOO-zhuh-ree/ˈjuːʒ(ə)ri/
3 syllables, stressed on the first (YOO). Forms: usurious.
Usury in a sentence
Payday lenders were accused of usury when their rates topped a thousand per cent.
Medieval law banned usury, so moneylenders found ingenious ways round it.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- loan-sharking
- extortion
- exploitation
Where usury comes from
From Medieval Latin usuria, from Latin usura, the use of money lent.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Medieval law banned _____, so moneylenders found ingenious ways round it.
- perquisite
- usury
- windfall
Show the answer
usury: Medieval law banned usury, so moneylenders found ingenious ways round it.