Standard Lemma guide

microfinance

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Finance that is provided to unemployed or low-income people or groups.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Topics: business, finance

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From micro- + finance. Coined by German sociologist and economist Hans Dieter Seibel in 1990.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: mikrofinans — finance provided to low-income people
  • French: microfinance — finance provided to low-income people
  • Italian: microfinanza — finance provided to low-income people
  • Spanish: microfinanza — finance provided to low-income people