personal loan

American  

[pur-suh-nl lohn] / ˈpɜr sə nl ˈloʊn /

noun

Finance.

1. a loan made for discretionary use typically to a person with a high credit score who is generally not asked to provide collateral to back up the loan. A personal loan may be used for almost any purpose, such as consolidating credit card debt, making home improvements, or making a major purchase.

   She got a personal loan so she could take time off from work and go on a round-the-world cruise.

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Etymology

Origin of personal loan

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

WSJ | Buy Side: An unsecured personal loan can help you meet financial goals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

A personal loan is unsecured debt, so sometimes borrowers have to pay higher interest rates than if the loan were tied to a home or a car.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

For years, Burkle served as a mentor and a friend, even extending Anderson a personal loan to purchase his home, the complaint alleges.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

This person had around $25,000 in credit-card debt with a 24% APR, and they took out a $30,000 personal loan at 11% interest to pay it off.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

Howard bailed him out with a reported $190,000 personal loan.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand