Added 9 October 2026
leverage
/ˈlɛv.(ə.)ɹɪd͡ʒ/ noun
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about leverage at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
A force compounded by means of a lever rotating around a pivot.
A crowbar uses leverage to pry nails out of wood.
-
Any influence which is compounded or used to gain an advantage.
Try using competitors’ prices for leverage in the negotiation.
-
The use of borrowed funds with a contractually determined return to increase the ability to invest and earn an expected higher return, but usually at high risk.
Leverage is great until something goes wrong with your investments and you still have to pay your debts.
verb
Origin
From lever + -age. The verb likely comes from martial arts/judo usage, where one would "use an opponent's leverage (i.e. their weight, height, centre of balance, etc.)" against them in order to defeat them.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)