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credit

credit

3.1
An amount of money you can borrow now and pay back later
  • noun
  • /ˈkrɛdɪt/
translation icon : crédito
  • The store offered a special promotion for new customers, allowing them to purchase items on credit.
  • credit card
  • access to credit
  • tax credit

We saw the largest private credit deal ever this year.

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Examples

  • Our bank just cut off our credit.

  • A director might then take action to secure additional credit lines to forestall a potential default.

    Academic text (2011)
  • We saw the largest private credit deal ever this year.

  • And so I think credit right now is still too tight.

  • It's just your line of credit is rather high and over its limit.

  • I have a credit card.

  • What if we had a tax credit for data donation to research?

  • They created lots of credit, cheap credit.

  • As business around the country continues to improve and the credit crisis subsides, investments and acquisitions will increase.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Respondents indicated that they held approximately two credit cards (SD = 4.94) in their own name.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

line of credit
vscredit
  • Specialized
24 3.1

A plan from a bank that lets you borrow up to a set amount

is wider, including both lending lines and nonbank purchase arrangements
credit line
vscredit
6 3.7

The largest amount a bank allows you to borrow when needed

is a more general term that also covers purchase plans and records
consumer credit
vscredit
4 3.3

Money people borrow to buy things for their home or family not for business

is the general term that also covers business arrangements and virtual units
charge account
vscredit
2 3.4

An account at a store that lets you buy now and pay later

is the wider money option that also includes records and app units
credit account
vscredit
1 3.2

An arrangement with a shop that lets a customer buy now and pay later

is broader, covering such purchase plans plus records and virtual money
deferred payment
vscredit
1 4.3

An arrangement to give money for something later instead of now

is a broader financial concept that also includes accounts and records
credit entry
vscredit
  • Specialized
5.4

A record that shows money added to an account

refers instead to buying now paying later arrangements or virtual money
credit order
vscredit
3.5

An order to get goods or services now and pay later

is one form of the general money arrangement allowing delayed payment

Antonyms

2.6

An amount of money that you owe to someone

debit
  • Specialized
55 3.9

An entry on the left side of an account that shows money taken out or owed

Compounds

711 1.0

A small plastic card from a bank that lets you buy things now and pay later

tax credit
  • Specialized
148 3.2

An amount taken off the tax you owe

Money a person owes because they used a credit card to buy things

29 3.5

A number showing how likely a person, company or country will repay loans

line of credit
  • Specialized
24 3.1

A plan from a bank that lets you borrow up to a set amount

19 3.6

A group like a bank owned by its members that offers savings accounts and low-rate loans

A time when banks make loans harder to get because they have little money

photo credit
  • Literature
7 2.8

A short note that shows who took a photo and where it came from

6 3.7

The largest amount a bank allows you to borrow when needed

6 8.4

A government promise to repay money it owes, including interest

A private company that keeps information about people's loans and payments for banks

Money people borrow to buy things for their home or family not for business

credit hour
  • Specialized
3 3.5

One hour of class each week during a semester that counts toward a degree

course credit
  • Specialized
1 3.4

An official record that a college gives for a completed course toward a degree

1 5.5

A bank document that promises to pay a seller if a buyer meets certain conditions

An arrangement with a shop that lets a customer buy now and pay later

A formal request to a bank or lender to borrow money, for example to get a credit card

revolving credit
  • Specialized
1 5.6

A loan you can use again up to a set limit while you repay the balance

commercial credit
  • Specialized
1 4.1

Money that banks lend to businesses to buy goods or pay business costs

A person who checks if people or businesses can pay back loans

Money that a bank or company owes you in your account

credit line
  • Literature
1 4.4

A short line that gives the name of the photographer or writer

1 3.7

A unit used to count how much study a course gives toward a degree

A system that lets people buy now and pay later

export credit
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A loan from a bank in the seller's country to help a buyer pay for goods sent to another country

A way to buy now at a shop and pay later up to a set limit you can repay anytime

4.7

Money a bank lets you use when a check makes your account go below zero

4.8

A company that lends money to businesses like manufacturers and wholesalers

5.6

A bank's written promise to pay a seller for goods when required papers arrive

credit entry
  • Specialized
5.4

A record that shows money added to an account

credit exposure
  • Specialized
6.4

The total amount of money a bank or lender may lose if loans are not repaid

An order to get goods or services now and pay later

credit side
  • Specialized
6.0

The side of an account that shows money received or amounts added

credit system
  • Literature
4.7

A government system that gives people a score based on their behaviour that affects their access to services

4.8

A point given by European universities to show how much student work a course needs

A unit showing how much study a course needs at a European university

equity credit line
  • Specialized
6.8

A loan that lets you borrow money against the value of your home

Farm Credit System
  • Specialized
4.2

A group of banks owned by farmers that lend money to farms

home equity credit
  • Specialized
5.6

A loan that uses the value of your home as security for big costs

import credit
  • Specialized
4.7

A bank promise to pay a foreign seller for goods a company buys from another country

installment credit
  • Specialized
4.4

A loan you repay in equal regular payments with interest that people often use to buy a car or furniture

open-end credit
  • Specialized
6.2

A borrowing plan that lets you borrow up to a set limit and use it again as you repay

overdraft credit
  • Specialized
4.1

A bank service that lets you withdraw money when your account does not have enough money

An agreement with a bank that lets a person borrow money up to a set limit when needed

4.8

An agreement with a bank that lets a person borrow money up to a set limit when needed

A bank paper that lets a person get money while traveling abroad

How Much

credit
3.1

Surface Forms

credit singular
credits plural

Etymology

Credit comes from the Latin root credere, which means 'to believe' or 'trust'. Long ago a shop would let someone take goods and pay later because the seller 'trusted' them, so credit today means money you can use now and pay back later.