A bridge loan is a short-term loan used to bridge the gap between the immediate need for funds and the long-term financing. There are several other terms used for bridge loans, including interim financing, swing loan, gap financing, and transition financing. Interim financing is often used when the borrower needs funds for a temporary period. Swing loan is used when a borrower wants to acquire a new property before selling their current one. Gap financing is used when there is a gap between two financial transactions. Transition financing is used when a borrower wants to convert from one financial instrument to another. These synonyms reflect the various contexts in which bridge loans can be used.