disapproval If you describe someone as a loan shark, you disapprove of them because they lend money to people and charge them very high rates of interest on the loan. One who lends money at exorbitant interest rates, especially one financed and supported by an organized crime network. someone who lends money at very high rates of interest and will often use threats or violence to get the money back
To commit crimes as a loan shark/loanshark; to commit usury (to loan money at excessive rate of interest) especially if collecting under threat of violence
[ 'lOn ] (noun.) 12th century. Middle English lon, from Old Norse lAn; akin to Old English l[AE]n loan, lEon to lend, Latin linquere to leave, Greek leipein.