loan shark

noun

Informal.

1. a person who lends money at excessively high rates of interest; usurer.

loan shark

noun

1. informal,  a person who lends funds at illegal or exorbitant rates of interest

Word History and Origins

Origin of loan shark¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

On “The Sopranos,” Adler played Hesh, a Jewish music producer and loan shark with long ties to the Soprano crime family.

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The council also agreed to reinvest in the ReferKent system, which helps refer people to organisations which help with issues including loan sharks and addiction.

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A clip of their shared cubicle scene — in which loan shark Kathy rags on Dreux’s low credit score — has captured more than 9.2 million views on Instagram since the film’s Jan. 17 release.

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He was into loan sharks in Hells Kitchen, on the Lower East Side, the Village, all over town when it came right down to it.

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After all, the press is held in only slightly higher esteem by the public than loan sharks and puppy mill operators.

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