Leverage: meaning, definitions and examples

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leverage

 

[ ˈlɛvərɪdj ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

business term

Leverage refers to the use of borrowed capital to increase the potential return on investment. It allows individuals or companies to amplify their investments by using a small amount of their own funds alongside borrowed money.

Synonyms

advantage, influence, power

Examples of usage

  • The company used leverage to finance its expansion.
  • Investors can measure their leverage ratio to assess risk.
  • Using leverage can significantly boost profits, but also increases losses.
Context #2 | Verb

action

To leverage means to use something to maximum advantage. It often refers to employing resources or relationships to achieve greater results.

Synonyms

exploit, harness, utilize

Examples of usage

  • She leveraged her connections in the industry to secure a better deal.
  • The team leveraged their data analytics capabilities to enhance performance.
  • We need to leverage our technology to improve customer service.

Translations

Translations of the word "leverage" in other languages:

🇵🇹 alavancagem

🇮🇳 लाभ उठाना

🇩🇪 Hebel

🇮🇩 pengaruh

🇺🇦 важіль

🇵🇱 dźwignia

🇯🇵 レバレッジ

🇫🇷 effet de levier

🇪🇸 apalancamiento

🇹🇷 kaldıraç

🇰🇷 레버리지

🇸🇦 رَافِعَة

🇨🇿 páka

🇸🇰 páka

🇨🇳 杠杆

🇸🇮 vzvod

🇮🇸 vökvun

🇰🇿 тежек

🇬🇪 ძალაუფლება

🇦🇿 leverage

🇲🇽 apalancamiento

Etymology

The word 'leverage' originated in the 15th century from the Middle French word 'levier', which means 'to raise or lift', derived from the Latin 'levare'. Initially, it had a literal meaning related to physical leverage, referring to the mechanical advantage gained by using a lever. Over time, its meaning broadened to encompass financial contexts, where it refers to borrowing capital to enhance returns on investments. In business parlance, 'leverage' has also evolved to include the strategic advantages gained from various resources, such as relationships or technology. This shift highlights how the concept of leverage has become integral not just to physics, but also to finance and management in the modern age.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,906 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.