Vocabulary
Leverage meaning: use an advantage to get a result
A useful skill, a strong relationship, or reliable information can give you an advantage. Leverage is the word for that advantage and for using it well.
Use leverage as a noun for an advantage and as a verb for using a useful resource or position to get a result.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
leverage /ˈliːvərɪdʒ/
The short answer
Leverage means an advantage that helps you get a result. As a verb, to leverage something means to use it to create an advantage or achieve a result.
She leveraged her design skills to move into a new role.
Why it works: Her skills were the useful resource she used to achieve the change.
3 more examples
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Her relevant experience gave her leverage during the salary discussion.
Her experience gave her a stronger position when discussing pay.
Not this:Her relevant experience
gave her confidenceduring the salary discussion. What changes: Confidence is a feeling. Leverage is an advantage that can affect the discussion. -
The nonprofit leveraged local volunteers to reach more families.
The nonprofit used the volunteers as a useful resource to extend its work.
Not this:The nonprofit
depended on local volunteersto reach more families. What changes: Depended on says the volunteers were necessary. Leveraged stresses using an available resource strategically. -
The team gained leverage after it found evidence for its proposal.
The evidence strengthened the team's position and ability to persuade others.
Not this:The team
gained attentionafter it found evidence for its proposal. What changes: Attention means that people noticed the team. Leverage means that the team had more influence.
Read the full guide
First, ask whether the sentence names an advantage or the action of using one. The noun often follows have, gain, or give; the verb often takes a resource, skill, contact, or piece of information as its object.
Choose the noun or the verb
Leverage has two common jobs. As a noun, it names an advantage. As a verb, it describes using an advantage, skill, or resource to get a result.
The deadline gave the buyer leverage.
The buyer leveraged the deadline to negotiate a lower price.
Use the noun for influence
Someone has leverage when they have something that can influence another person's decision. It may come from experience, evidence, a scarce skill, or a strong alternative option.
Having another job offer gave Maya leverage in the conversation.
Use the verb with a specific resource
After leverage, name the thing being used. Clear objects include experience, contacts, research, technology, and partnerships. The verb works best when the reader can see how that thing helps achieve the result.
The library leveraged community feedback to improve its evening classes.
Keep the advantage in the meaning
Leverage is more specific than use. You can use a pen to write a note, but you would not normally say you leveraged a pen. The word fits when the thing you use gives you extra power, reach, or influence.
Use describes an action. Leverage describes using something because it gives you an advantage.
Recognize the finance meaning
In finance, leverage can refer to borrowing money in order to invest or buy assets. This can increase possible gains, but it can also increase losses. In a general vocabulary lesson, the usual meaning is advantage or the use of an advantage.
The report explained the company's financial leverage.
Choose the word in context
A teacher uses survey results to persuade the school to change a timetable. Is leverage a good choice?
Yes. The survey results are evidence that gives the teacher a stronger position, so the teacher can leverage the results to support the request.
Before you go
Remember this
Use leverage for a useful advantage or for the deliberate use of one. A person can have leverage in a negotiation, and an organization can leverage its skills, data, or partnerships to reach a goal.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
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Try the written questionsQuestions about "Leverage meaning: use an advantage to get a result"
What does leverage mean?
Leverage is an advantage that helps someone influence a decision or achieve a result. It can also mean the act of using such an advantage.
Her relevant experience gave her leverage during the salary discussion.
Is leverage a noun or a verb?
It can be both. As a noun, leverage means an advantage or influence. As a verb, it means use a resource or position to get a result.
Her relevant experience gave her confidence during the salary discussion.
Can I say leverage my experience?
Yes. Leverage your experience means use your experience as an advantage, usually to achieve a specific goal.
The nonprofit leveraged local volunteers to reach more families.
What is the difference between leverage and use?
Use is a general verb. Leverage suggests using something because it gives you extra influence, reach, or advantage.
The nonprofit depended on local volunteers to reach more families.
What does financial leverage mean?
Financial leverage is a technical term for using borrowed money to invest or buy assets. It can increase both potential gains and potential losses.
The team gained leverage after it found evidence for its proposal.
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