[] the cost of borrowing money, usually expressed as a percentage of the amount borrowed 利率◆Interest rates are low and unlikely to be raised soon. 利率低，而且不可能马上提高。◆The Bank of England has cut interest rates by half a percentage point. 英格兰银行已削减半个百分点的利率。◆Interest rates of 2.75% are low by past standards. 根据以往标准，2.75% 的利率可算是低的。◆Stocks rose on hopes of an interest-rate cut this week. 指望本周利率下调，股价能上升。⨁high / low interest rates 高／低利率⨁to cut / increase / raise / reduce / slash interest rates 削减／增加／提高／减少／降低利率⨁ interest rates fall / rise 利率下降／上升