subprime
adjective
sub·prime
ˈsəb-ˌprīm 
1
: having or being an interest rate that is higher than a prime rate and is extended chiefly to a borrower who has a poor credit rating or is judged to be a potentially high risk for default (as due to low income)
subprime mortgages
a subprime loan
2
: extending or obtaining a subprime loan
subprime lenders
subprime borrowers
Examples of subprime in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Going back to 1990, the only other period in which the ratio was that high was 2005, at the height of the subprime bubble.
—
Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
When the subprime meltdown hit in 2008, the state budget was slashed from $103 billion in fiscal 2007-08 to $91 billion the next year.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026
Large investment firms such as Blackstone entered the single-family housing industry after the subprime mortgage crisis in 2007 .
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The $155 million build (money set aside to cover potential future losses) on the auto unit was driven by a slightly higher subprime mix and a modestly lower outlook for vehicle values.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subprime
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Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
When the subprime meltdown hit in 2008, the state budget was slashed from $103 billion in fiscal 2007-08 to $91 billion the next year.
—John Seiler, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026
Large investment firms such as Blackstone entered the single-family housing industry after the subprime mortgage crisis in 2007 .
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The $155 million build (money set aside to cover potential future losses) on the auto unit was driven by a slightly higher subprime mix and a modestly lower outlook for vehicle values.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subprime
Cite this Entry
“Subprime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subprime. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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subprime
adjective
sub·prime
ˈsəb-ˌprīm
1
: having or being an interest rate that is higher than a prime rate and is extended especially to low-income borrowers
subprime mortgages
2
: extending or obtaining a subprime loan
subprime lenders
subprime borrowers
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