leverage Hear it!

leverage Definition

lev·er·age (--ij)

noun

  1. the action of a lever
  2. the increased force resulting from this
  3. means of accomplishing some purpose

transitive verb -·aged, -·ag·ing

to speculate in (a business investment) largely through the use of borrowed funds, or credit, with the expectation of earning substantial profits; also, to mortgage (oneself or one's assets) in this way

leverage Synonyms

leverage

n.

purchase, lift, hold, advantage, force, backing; see also support 2.

leverage Finance Definition
  1. The amount of debt a company has. A highly-leveraged company has a relatively large amount of debt when compared to the level of assets it owns. Although becoming highly leveraged can create significant profits if things go according to plan, it can severely hamper a company that is caught in a slowing market or experiences unanticipated competition.
  2. To purchase stocks or other investments by using borrowed funds (on margin). An investor who borrows money from his or her broker to purchase stocks uses leverage in order to increase his or her potential gain. However, if the investment declines in value, then the amount of money the investor loses likely increases well.
leverage Law Definition

n

  1. Generally, the use of borrowed money to engage in transactions with a high rate of return that will allow repayment of the loan.
  2. The ratio between a company’s debt and equity.
leverage Telecom Definition
A euphemism for reuse. A considerable number of definitions in this book are leveraged from other books I have written for Wiley. I spent so much time writing these beautifully worded definitions over the last 10 years that I figured there was no point in trying to reword them and twist them out of shape in the process. Some things just don't make sense. See also euphemism.
leverage Usage Examples

Object

  • strength: SMS can generate very high levels of response, but a campaign must leverage the medium's strengths and minimize its weaknesses.
  • capability: In this way, the IT administrator can leverage the single sign-on capabilities of the network.
  • expertise: This has forced a need for the ability to leverage administration expertise across an organization by tying multiple platforms together.
  • technology: The summit also will explore leveraging technology to enhance Africa's higher education goals.
  • investment: This meant keeping physical assets off SEEDA's balance sheet where possible and finding ways to leverage private sector investment through loans.
  • power: We are increasingly leveraging the power of the internet in our event management services.

Converse of object

  • exert: Unlike conventional garden tools, the unique ratchet mechanism allows the user to exert maximum leverage with minimum effort.
  • negotiate: The result was the loss of any possible negotiating leverage in ensuring that a follow-on regime would have any teeth.
  • gain: The campaign looks to gain maximum leverage from the heritage of each region.
  • apply: Instinctively Cole applied just the right leverage to lift the ball over Carroll with enough curl to drift inside the top corner.
  • exercise: That's not a way to exercise leverage and have an effect on events in life.

Adjective modifier

  • diplomatic: The GDR had no diplomatic leverage, no room for maneuver, no voice in the international diplomacy of unification.
  • maximum: The campaign looks to gain maximum leverage from the heritage of each region.
  • enormous: RRW, we believe, will provide enormous leverage for a more efficient and responsive infrastructure and opportunities for a smaller stockpile.
  • considerable: You could have considerable leverage in placing your business if you also offer up these two categories.
  • political: By supplying arms freely Russia is denying the West the political leverage of the arms embargo.
  • competitive: This gives you and your organization a powerful opportunity for to secure competitive leverage in your chosen sector.

Modifies a noun

  • ratio: The subframe received a new turret for the coil over unit and the new top arm takes advantage of altered leverage ratios.

Modifying Another Word

  • successfully: We should be able to successfully leverage this operation further as we introduce new OPTI products and complementary third party products.

Present participle complement

  • exist: Works with other Enterprise Companies to leverage existing relationships in a Shared Business model.