leverage
gb/lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/ us/lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/
B1
English
~ 5000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
advantage from influence or resources
Power or influence that you can use to get what you want.
Usage pattern:
to have leverage over [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'leverage' with 'leisure' due to similar spelling, but they have very different meanings.
Synonyms
influence (A more general term for the ability to affect others, not necessarily through resources.)
|
clout (Informal term for social or political influence.)
Antonyms
disadvantage (The opposite of having an advantage or influence.)
Collocations
gain leverage
|use leverage
|have leverage
|increase leverage
|political leverage
Themes
business
|negotiation
|politics
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The workers used the threat of a strike as leverage in their negotiations.
- Her expertise in the field gave her significant leverage during the meeting.
- The company has little leverage in these trade talks.
Learner examples
- She has leverage because she knows the boss.
- We have no leverage to change the rules.
- He used his contacts as leverage to get a better job.
Verb
B2
action
2
to use something for advantage
To use something you have to get what you want.
Usage pattern:
to leverage [something] to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly use 'leverage' only in financial contexts; in modern English it is also common in general business and strategy contexts.
Synonyms
utilize (More formal and neutral; does not always imply gaining an advantage.)
|
exploit (Can carry a negative connotation of unfair use.)
Antonyms
waste (To fail to use something effectively.)
Collocations
leverage skills
|leverage technology
|leverage connections
|leverage data
Themes
business
|strategy
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The startup leveraged social media to grow quickly.
- He leveraged his experience to secure the promotion.
- They are leveraging new technology to improve efficiency.
Learner examples
- We can leverage our skills to win.
- She leveraged her contacts to find a job.
- They leveraged the internet to sell products.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
3
mechanical advantage from lever
The extra power you get when you use a lever to move something.
Synonyms
mechanical advantage (Technical term for the ratio of output force to input force in mechanics.)
Antonyms
disadvantage (In mechanics, the opposite of having an advantage in force application.)
Collocations
gain leverage
|mechanical leverage
Themes
engineering
|physics
|science
|technology
Examples
- Using a longer handle gives you more leverage to lift the rock.
- The crowbar provided enough leverage to open the crate.
- He adjusted his grip for better leverage.
Learner examples
- A long bar gives more leverage.
- He used a stick for leverage.
- We need more leverage to move this box.
Noun
technical
C1
quantity
4
financial debt-to-equity ratio
In business, how much money a company has borrowed compared to its own money.
Synonyms
gearing (British English term for financial leverage.)
Antonyms
equity financing (Raising funds without borrowing money.)
Collocations
high leverage
|financial leverage
Themes
finance
|economics
|business
Examples
- The bank is concerned about the firm's high leverage.
- Financial leverage can increase returns but also risk.
- They reduced their leverage by paying off debt.
Learner examples
- The company has high leverage.
- High leverage can be risky.
- They lowered their leverage last year.
Grammar
Dictionary form
leverage
IPA
GB/lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/
US/lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
lever - age (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (lever)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: leverage
- Plural: leverage
Verb
- Base: leverage
- 3rd Person Singular: leverages
- Present Participle: leveraging
- Past: leveraged
Word family
Forms
leverages
verb
leveraging
verb
leveraged
verb
Related words
lever
noun B1
Expressions
financial leverage
1/fɪnˈænʃəl lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
use of debt for investment returns
Using borrowed money to try to make more profit from investments.
Examples
- High financial leverage can lead to big profits or big losses.
- Investors need to understand the risks of financial leverage.
gain leverage
1/ɡˈeɪn lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
get more influence or advantage
To get more power or influence in a situation.
Examples
- They gained leverage by securing key allies.
- You can gain leverage through careful planning.
political leverage
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəl lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
influence in politics
Power or advantage that someone has in politics.
Examples
- The party gained political leverage after the election results.
- She used her popularity as political leverage.
use as leverage
1/jˈuz ˈæz lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
use something for influence or advantage
To use something you have as a way to get what you want.
Examples
- He used the threat of quitting as leverage.
- They used their strong sales figures as leverage in negotiations.