subprime

adjective

sub·​prime ˈsəb-ˌprīm 

1

: having or being an interest rate that is higher than a prime rate and is extended chiefly to a borrower who has a poor credit rating or is judged to be a potentially high risk for default (as due to low income)

subprime mortgages

a subprime loan

2

: extending or obtaining a subprime loan

subprime lenders

subprime borrowers

Examples of subprime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The reason for the shortage is that the country has not build enough homes since the subprime mortgage crisis of 2008. —Giulia Carbonaro, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025

But this doesn’t really happen anymore; not only did stocks recover faster than 60/40 in 2022, but following the subprime mortgage crisis, stocks recovered at about the same pace as a 60/40 did. —Michael Foster, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

Prior to that, the Great Recession of 2007 lasted 18 months and was triggered by the subprime mortgage crisis in the housing market. —Alexis Christoforous, ABC News, 11 Mar. 2025

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau The administration has ordered the agency — created after the 2008 financial crisis and subprime mortgage-lending scandal — to stop nearly all its work, effectively shutting it down. —Meg Kinnard, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for subprime

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime

Legal Definition

subprime

adjective

sub·​prime ˈsəb-ˌprīm 

1

: having or being an interest rate that is higher than a prime rate and is extended especially to low-income borrowers

subprime mortgages

2

: extending or obtaining a subprime loan

subprime lenders

subprime borrowers