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mortgage

/ˈmɔrgɪdʒ/
/ˈmɔgɪdʒ/
IPA guide

Other forms: mortgages; mortgaged; mortgaging

A mortgage is a loan in which the lender may use your property as payment if you don't pay back the loan. Offer your friend a mortgage for the $20 he wants...with his bike as security.

Most people obtain a mortgage when they buy a house. The bank extends the loan because of the guarantee that the house will be the bank’s to sell if the debt isn’t repaid. When you make this deal, you have mortgaged your house — the word mortgage can be used as a noun or a verb.

Definitions of mortgage
  1. noun
    a conditional conveyance of property as security for the repayment of a loan
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    types:
    first mortgage
    a mortgage that has priority over all mortgages and liens except those imposed by law
    second mortgage
    a mortgage that is subordinate to a first mortgage
    chattel mortgage
    a loan to buy some personal item; the item (or chattel) is security for the loan
    type of:
    security interest
    any interest in a property that secures the payment of an obligation
  2. verb
    put up as security or collateral
    see moresee less
    types:
    bond
    issue bonds on
    type of:
    owe
    be in debt
Pronunciation
US
/ˈmɔrgɪdʒ/
UK
/ˈmɔgɪdʒ/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘mortgage'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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