# subprime

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈsʌb.pɹʌɪm/ · frequency rank #39,591

## Definitions
1. Less than prime; inferior.
2. Designating a loan (typically at a greater than usual rate of interest) offered to a borrower who is not qualified for other loans (for example, because of a poor credit history).
3. Designating a type of commercial lending rate, less than the prime rate, offered to desirable borrowers.

## Etymology
From sub- + prime.

## Easily confused with
- **supreme** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/subprime-vs-supreme)
- **surprise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/subprime-vs-surprise)
- **sublime** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sublime-vs-subprime)

## Common misspellings (12)
`sbuprime`, `ssubprime`, `subbprime`, `subpirme`, `subpprime`, `subpriem`, `subprimme`, `subprmie`, `subprrime`, `subrpime`, `supbrime`, `usbprime`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/subprime