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

But Nichols points out that lenders can also help borrowers understand the nuances involved in planning to refinance down the road. —Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026

Refinancing attempt In 2025, court documents show, Shaw was attempting to refinance loans held by the company’s original lender Hillcrest Bank and TASAN LP. —Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 27 Mar. 2026

The Refinance Index, a measure of the volume of mortgage applications for refinancing existing loans, dropped 15% from the prior week. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026

Building owners with a maturing loan typically refinance into a new loan or sell the building to pay off the original loan. —Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2026

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)