pawnbroker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal / specific business
Quick answer
What does “pawnbroker” mean?
A person or business that lends money at interest in exchange for personal property left as security.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or business that lends money at interest in exchange for personal property left as security.
A financial service provider operating a pawn shop, offering short-term secured loans and often selling forfeited items; sometimes carries a historical or socio-economic connotation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling and concept are identical.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can carry neutral business connotations or slightly negative ones associated with financial hardship.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, used primarily in specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “pawnbroker” in a Sentence
[pawnbroker] + [verb: lent, assessed, sold][customer] + [verb: took sth to] + [pawnbroker]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pawnbroker” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a regulated financial service sector offering secured micro-loans.
Academic
Used in economic history, sociology, or urban studies discussing informal credit systems.
Everyday
Used when someone needs a quick loan against an item of value.
Technical
Specific legal and financial regulations govern pawnbrokers' operations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pawnbroker”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pawnbroker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pawnbroker”
- Using 'pawnbroker' to mean the customer (the person pawning). Incorrect: *'I was a pawnbroker for my watch.' Correct: 'I took my watch to a pawnbroker.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A pawnbroker provides secured loans (against physical collateral), while a money lender often provides unsecured loans.
Yes, many pawnbrokers also buy items outright, but their core business is offering loans with the item as collateral.
It is a neutral business term, but historically it can be associated with financial desperation, so context affects connotation.
It's a traditional symbol, likely derived from the Medici family coat of arms, representing the lending of money.
A person or business that lends money at interest in exchange for personal property left as security.
Pawnbroker is usually formal / specific business in register.
Pawnbroker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɔːnˌbrəʊ.kər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɔːnˌbroʊ.kɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In hock to the pawnbroker”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PAWN (leave an item) + BROKER (dealer) = a broker who deals with pawned items.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FINANCIAL SAFETY NET (last resort for immediate cash).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a pawnbroker?