credit rating

American  

noun

1. a classification of credit risk based on investigation of a customer's or potential customer's financial resources, prior payment pattern, and personal history or degree of personal responsibility for debts incurred.

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credit rating British  

noun

1. an evaluation of the creditworthiness of an individual or business enterprise

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credit rating Cultural  

1. An evaluation of the financial trustworthiness of an individual, firm, or government.

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Etymology

Origin of credit rating

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

The funds typically make high-interest loans to midsize corporations with junk credit ratings, using income from the loans to pay big dividends to their investors.

From The Wall Street Journal

In May, the U.S. lost its last pristine credit rating, with all three major credit-rating agencies now ranking America below the top AAA bracket.

From MarketWatch

BDCs typically make high-interest loans to midsize corporations with junk credit ratings, using the interest income from those loans to pay dividends.

From The Wall Street Journal

Reflecting fears of ballooning capital expenditures and the risk Oracle could lose its investment-grade credit rating, shares have plunged 48% from their September high.

From MarketWatch

One natural advantage that tech companies have is their massive cash pile and high credit rating.

From The Wall Street Journal