leverage Meaning & Definition
What Does Leverage Mean?
Leverage is a noun that means A force compounded by means of a lever rotating around a pivot. It is also used to mean Any influence which is compounded or used to gain an advantage. As a verb, it means To use; to exploit; to manipulate in order to take full advantage (of something).
Leverage: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈlɛv.(ə.)ɹɪd͡ʒ// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | purchase, leveraging and exploit |
| Plural | leverages |
| Verb forms | leverages, leveraging, leveraged |
Leverage Definition (Noun)
- 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.
- The debt-to-equity ratio.
- The ability to earn very high returns when operating at high-capacity utilization of a facility.
Their variable-cost-reducing investments have dramatically increased their leverage.
- The distance of between an independent observation and other observations.
Leverage as a Verb
- To use; to exploit; to manipulate in order to take full advantage (of something).
They plan to leverage the publicity into a good distribution agreement.
Noun
- A force compounded by means of a lever rotating around a pivot; see torque.
A crowbar uses leverage to pry nails out of wood.
- By extension, 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 of a business 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.
Synonyms of Leverage
Leverage synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Leverage
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Leverage in a Sentence
A crowbar uses leverage to pry nails out of wood.
Try using competitors’ prices for leverage in the negotiation.
Leverage is great until something goes wrong with your investments and you still have to pay your debts.
Their variable-cost-reducing investments have dramatically increased their leverage.
They plan to leverage the publicity into a good distribution agreement.
They plan to leverage off the publicity to get a good distribution agreement.
Word Forms & Grammar
leverage (usually uncountable, plural leverages)
leverage (third-person singular simple present leverages, present participle leveraging, simple past and past participle leveraged)
Words That Rhyme With Leverage
Origin of Leverage
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.
How Do You Say Leverage?
The standard pronunciation of leverage is //ˈlɛv.(ə.)ɹɪd͡ʒ//, spoken in 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Leverage
Is leverage a noun or a verb?
Leverage is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for leverage?
Close synonyms of leverage are purchase, leveraging and exploit. See the full list of leverage synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of leverage?
The plural of leverage is leverages.
What is the past tense of leverage?
The past tense of leverage is leveraged. The present participle is leveraging.