Word
borrower
Phoneticsbor·row·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɑɹoʊɝ/
UK/bˈɒɹəʊɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person or organization that takes something from someone else with the promise to return it later. This usually refers to people taking out loans from a bank.
n. a person or entity that receives something of value, such as money or property, with the obligation to return it or its equivalent. Often used in financial contexts to describe a party taking a loan.
Examples
“The borrower must pay back the loan by next month.”
“Banks carefully check a borrower's credit history before approving a mortgage for a new home.”
“In a healthy economy, the relationship between the lender and the borrower relies on mutual trust and a clear understanding of the interest rates involved.”
Examples
simple
“The borrower must pay back the loan by next month.”
contextual
“Banks carefully check a borrower's credit history before approving a mortgage for a new home.”
complex
“In a healthy economy, the relationship between the lender and the borrower relies on mutual trust and a clear understanding of the interest rates involved.”
Usage
Commonly paired with the preposition 'from' to indicate the source of the loan.
Etymology
From Middle English borower, borewer, borwere, equivalent to borrow + -er (agent suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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