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.

“The president never once asked me to commit to any particular interest rate decision, period,” Warsh said at a hearing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Comparing multiple lenders and looking beyond just the interest rate to the full breakdown of fees and terms can make a meaningful difference, she said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 24, 2026

Russia’s central bank cut its key interest rate for the eighth consecutive meeting, lowering it to 14.5% from 15.5%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The Fed interest rate affects everything from mortgages and car loans to business borrowing.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

The borrower was told he had an “effective interest rate of 7 percent” when he was in fact paying something like 12.5 percent.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis