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Glite Dictionary
microcredit

microcredit

1 4.1
A very small loan to help poor people start or grow a tiny business
  • noun
  • /ˈmaɪkroʊˌkrɛdɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : microcrédito
  • Many entrepreneurs rely on microcredit to gain access to capital for their startup ideas.
  • microcredit programs

Examples

  • She received a microcredit loan to help her start a small tailoring business.

  • The absence of credit for the rural poor is well documented in the changes taking place within the microcredit movement.

    Academic text (1998)

  • The increase in microcredit and microfinance institutions throughout the world seems to be a good step in this direction.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The bank is also working to expand its microcredit division and SME financing.

    Academic text (2010)

  • Finally, as president, I will lead an effort to increase opportunity for millions of people by adding $750 million annually for microcredit programs.

    Academic text (2007)

  • I have supported a number of small businesses through Kiva microcredit loans, and the organizations you support look to be doing great work.

    Blog text (9)

  • In any society, NGOs need financial support, in much the same way that microcredit programs provide the small but necessary capital for independent would-be entrepreneurs.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The role model of these social entrepreneurs, Muhammad Yunus, the inventor of microcredit, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.

    Academic text (2008)

  • It launched its Shakti Entrepreneur Program in 2000 to offer microcredit grants to rural women who become door-to-door distributors of the company's household products.

    Academic text (2010)

  • The microcredit program aims to empower women by providing them with the funds needed to launch their ventures.

Synonyms

seed money
vsmicrocredit
10 3.6

Money given at the start to help a new business get started

is made of very small loans given to poor people to begin small businesses
microfinance
vsmicrocredit
  • Specialized
3 4.2

A system that gives small loans and basic financial services to people with little money

focuses specifically on very small loans mainly for poor individuals starting businesses

How Big

business loan
12 2.7
personal loan
  • Specialized
7 2.6
microcredit
  • Specialized
1 4.1

Surface Forms

microcredit singular
microcredits plural

Morphology

microcredit = credit (transparent) = micro + credit

The meaning is straightforwardly built from micro- meaning 'small' plus credit, referring to a small loan or small-scale credit arrangement.

Etymology

The word microcredit joins micro- meaning 'small', as in microphone, and credit meaning a 'loan' or 'trust', as in credit card. So microcredit is a very small loan given to help people start tiny businesses and escape poverty.