interest rate

[in-ter-ist reyt, -trist] / ˈɪn tər ɪst ˌreɪt, -trɪst /

NOUN

sum charged for use of money

Synonyms

STRONGEST

interest

WEAK

annual percentage rate bank rate borrowing rate lending rate price of money prime interest rate prime rate rate of interest

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“So as rates go higher, the interest rate expense of the government is also higher…and that almost becomes a spiral.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Prime among those perks is a fixed interest rate; the interest rate on a private student loan can range from 2.99% to about 17.99%, based on your credit rating.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

The ECB left its key interest rate at 2% in April, and next decides policy in June.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

Isaac Stell, investment manager at the Wealth Club, said the inflation increase even left possible interest rate hikes "firmly on the table".

From BBC • May 12, 2026

Because we’re taking him out of his high interest rate credit card debt and putting him into lower interest rate mortgage debt.’

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis