rent

Money you pay regularly to use a home, land, or something that belongs to another person.

• My rent is due tomorrow.
• They raised the rent last year.
• Does the rent include electricity?

How to use it: rent for/on something (The rent for this apartment is expensive.)

Similar words: rental payment

Common phrases: pay rent, monthly rent, rent for something, weekly rent

Extra money earned because you control a valuable right that others cannot freely obtain.

• The license gives its owner a steady rent.
• Economists studied the rents earned by firms with exclusive rights.
• Limited competition allows the company to collect economic rent.

Similar words: economic rent

Common phrases: economic rent, monopoly rent

If you pay to use something for a limited time, you do this.

• We rent a small apartment.
• She rented a bike for the afternoon.
• Can we rent a car at the airport?

How to use it: rent something from someone (We rent our car from a local company.)

Similar words: hire

Common phrases: rent a car, rent an apartment, rent a bike

To pay an owner regularly so you can live or work in their building.

• We rent a house near the station.
• He rented an office above a shop.
• How long have you rented this apartment?

How to use it: rent something from someone (They rent a flat from my aunt.)

Similar words: lease

Common phrases: rent a house, rent a flat, rent an office

To let someone use your building in exchange for regular payments.

• We rent our cottage to tourists.
• He rented out the upstairs apartment.
• Do you rent rooms to students?

How to use it: rent something to someone (She rents her spare room to a student.); rent out something (They rent out their house every summer.)

Similar words: let, lease out

Common phrases: rent something out, rent a room