A1 noun Neutral

mortgage

/ˈmɔːr.ɡɪdʒ/

A legal agreement where a bank or lender lends money at interest in exchange for taking title of the debtor's property. The property is used as security, meaning the bank can take the house if the money is not paid back.

Examples

3 of 5
1

We pay our mortgage to the bank every month.

We pay our mortgage to the bank every month.

2

The applicant must provide three months of bank statements to qualify for a mortgage.

The applicant must provide three months of bank statements to qualify for a mortgage.

3

I'm so happy because we finally paid off our mortgage today!

I'm so happy because we finally paid off our mortgage today!

Word Family

Noun
mortgage
Verb
mortgage
Adjective
mortgaged
Related
mortgagee
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Memory Tip

The word comes from 'mort' (dead) and 'gage' (pledge). Think of it as a 'dead pledge' because the deal ends (dies) when the money is paid back.

Quick Quiz

Since we want to buy a house but don't have enough cash, we need to ask the bank for a ____.

Correct!

The correct answer is: mortgage

Examples

1

We pay our mortgage to the bank every month.

everyday

We pay our mortgage to the bank every month.

2

The applicant must provide three months of bank statements to qualify for a mortgage.

formal

The applicant must provide three months of bank statements to qualify for a mortgage.

3

I'm so happy because we finally paid off our mortgage today!

informal

I'm so happy because we finally paid off our mortgage today!

4

The study examines how rising interest rates affect the demand for a mortgage.

academic

The study examines how rising interest rates affect the demand for a mortgage.

5

The firm decided to take out a mortgage on the new office building.

business

The firm decided to take out a mortgage on the new office building.

Word Family

Noun
mortgage
Verb
mortgage
Adjective
mortgaged
Related
mortgagee

Common Collocations

apply for a mortgage apply for a mortgage
pay off a mortgage pay off a mortgage
fixed-rate mortgage fixed-rate mortgage
monthly mortgage payments monthly mortgage payments
mortgage interest rate mortgage interest rate

Common Phrases

second mortgage

second mortgage

underwater mortgage

underwater mortgage

chattel mortgage

chattel mortgage

Often Confused With

mortgage vs loan

A loan is any borrowed money, but a mortgage is a specific type of loan used to buy property.

mortgage vs rent

Rent is money paid to a landlord to live in a house; a mortgage is money paid to a bank to eventually own the house.

📝

Usage Notes

In everyday English, people often say 'my mortgage' to refer to the monthly payment itself as well as the legal agreement.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

The 't' in mortgage is silent. Learners often mistakenly pronounce the 't'.

💡

Memory Tip

The word comes from 'mort' (dead) and 'gage' (pledge). Think of it as a 'dead pledge' because the deal ends (dies) when the money is paid back.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from Old French 'mort' (dead) and 'gage' (pledge), meaning the deal dies when the debt is paid.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: mortgages (plural) Used with the preposition 'on': a mortgage on a house Can be used as a verb: to mortgage a property
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Cultural Context

In many Western countries, obtaining a mortgage is considered a major milestone in adulthood and the primary way to build personal wealth.

Quick Quiz

Since we want to buy a house but don't have enough cash, we need to ask the bank for a ____.

Correct!

The correct answer is: mortgage

More law words

justice

A1

Justice is the quality of being fair and reasonable in how people are treated. It also refers to the legal system and the way laws are used to punish people who do wrong.

verdict

A1

A verdict is the official decision made by a jury or judge in a court of law about whether someone is guilty or not guilty. It is also used to describe a person's final opinion or judgment about something after testing or considering it.

trial

A1

A formal process in a court of law to decide if someone is guilty of a crime. It involves a judge, and sometimes a jury, who listen to evidence and witnesses.

hearing

A1

In a legal context, a hearing is a formal meeting where a judge or official listens to facts and arguments about a specific issue. It is typically shorter and less formal than a full trial but follows strict legal rules.

litigation

A1

Litigation is the process of using a court of law to solve a legal disagreement. It involves a judge or jury making a final decision about a dispute between people or companies.

testimony

A1

A formal statement given by a witness in a court of law or a public meeting. It is also used to describe something that serves as clear proof that a fact is true.

witness

A1

A witness is a person who sees an event, such as a crime or an accident, take place. In a legal context, this person provides information or evidence in a court about what they observed.

crime

A1

A crime is an action that is against the law and is punishable by the government. It refers to illegal activities like stealing or hurting someone.

criminal

A1

A person who has committed a crime or done something illegal. This word describes someone who breaks the law and may be punished by the police or a court.

felony

A1

A felony is a very serious crime, such as murder or armed robbery. In legal systems, it is a crime that is punished more severely than a minor offense, often resulting in more than one year in prison.

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