refinance

verb

re·​fi·​nance ˌrē-fə-ˈnan(t)s 

(ˌ)rē-ˈfī-ˌnan(t)s,

ˌrē-(ˌ)fī-ˈnan(t)s

refinanced; refinancing; refinances

transitive + intransitive

: to renew or reorganize the financing of something : to provide for (an outstanding indebtedness) by making or obtaining another loan or a larger loan on fresh terms

refinance a mortgage

With rates tumbling, pay a little more now and retain the flexibility to refinance again next year.

—Daniel Kadlec

Examples of refinance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many companies refinanced their debt at historically low rates during 2020 and 2021, securing cheaper borrowing costs. —Michael Khouw, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025

The coupon seems fair, especially given the Treasury Secretary has $9 trillion in debt to refinance this year. —Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

The company continues efforts to improve its balance sheet, including engaging with potential lenders to refinance and restructure debt. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 1 Apr. 2025

This can result in higher interest rates on credit cards and loans, difficulty securing debt consolidation loans and limited options for refinancing. —Gabriel Rodríguez, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1995, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for refinance

• circumstance
• exceedance
• happenstance
• advance
• askance
• enhance
• expanse
• finance
• freelance
• mischance
• perchance
• romance

Legal Definition

refinance

1 of 2 transitive verb

re·​fi·​nance ˌrē-fə-ˈnans, -ˈfī-ˌnans 

1

: to renew or reorganize the financing of

2

: to revise the terms of (a debt obligation) especially in regard to interest rate or payment schedule

refinance a mortgage

intransitive verb

: to finance something anew

refinance

2 of 2 noun

: a financing of something anew

especially : a revision of the terms of a debt obligation (as a mortgage)