leverage

Word parts

lever + -age

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈlɛv(ə)rɪdʒ/ or /ˈliːv(ə)rɪdʒ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular leverage

Plural leverages

1. Leverage is the action caused by using a lever.

   She was able to use the iron bar to get leverage on the heavy rock.

2. Leverage is the power to be able to use something to get something done.

   She was able to use her position on the council as leverage to get a better price from the company.

3. Leverage is the act of using the value of investment shares to borrow money to buy more shares.

   Increasing the amount of leverage was seen to be too risky.

Verb

Plain form leverage

Third-person singular leverages

Past tense leveraged

Past participle leveraged

Present participle leveraging

1. (transitive) Leverage is to provide leverage.

   He was able to leverage the company's money to buy more shares.

2. (transitive) Leverage is to improve something to make it better.

   We need to leverage our good reputation to increase our sales.

Related words

• lever