leverage
leverage Lexical Profile
leverage Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The power or strategic advantage to influence people, situations, or negotiations to achieve a desired outcome.
"Having multiple job offers gave the candidate strong leverage during salary negotiations."
The use of borrowed capital or debt to finance an investment and increase its potential return, or the ratio of a company's loan capital to the value of its common stock.
"High financial leverage can amplify profits during an economic boom, but it also magnifies losses during a downturn."
The exertion of force by means of a lever or an object used in the manner of a lever, or the mechanical advantage gained by it.
"The mechanic used a longer wrench to get more leverage on the rusted bolt."
• verb
To use something (such as a resource, skill, or relationship) to maximum advantage.
"The organization plans to leverage its existing customer network to launch the new software."
To use borrowed capital for an investment, expecting the profits made to be greater than the interest payable.
"The firm leveraged its real estate assets to fund the corporate acquisition."
• Rhymes for leverage
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 18th century from 'lever' and the suffix '-age', ultimately tracing back to the Old French 'lever' and Latin 'levare' ('to lift' or 'to make light').