fundamentals

interest rate

The percentage charged on a loan or paid on savings, expressed as an annual percentage of the principal.

Example

"The Federal Reserve raised the interest rate to slow inflation."

💡 Memory Tip

The interest rate is what the lender's INTEREST earns — their reward for lending.

Etymology

Interest (from Latin 'interesse' meaning 'to be between') + rate — the charge between lending and borrowing.

Common Misspellings

intrest rateinterest reteinterest rteinterset rate

Related Terms

compound interestfederal reservemortgage

See Also

APR

Want to understand money better? Get money tips and new terms in your inbox.