noun

debtor

/ˈdɛtər/ · say it: DET·ur

a person or institution that owes money

In Banking & Finance

In more detail

1. (noun) a person who owes money to someone else

2. (noun) a person or organization that has borrowed money and must repay it

Examples

1. The debtor was required to pay back the loan within five years.
2. Banks need to assess whether a debtor is reliable before lending money.

How to use debtor

Debtor is a formal term used in financial, legal, and economic contexts to refer to anyone owing money, from individuals in debt to entire nations. It is more formal than the simpler term borrower and appears frequently in legal documents and economics discussions. The term is neutral in tone and factual rather than judgmental.

Common phrases

debtor nation
insolvent debtor
judgment debtor
debtor and creditor
debtor countries

Synonyms

borrower · obligor

Opposites

creditor · lender

Word family

debt · owe · indebted

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse debtor with creditor; remember that the debtor owes the money (is in debt), while the creditor is owed the money.

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