# borrower

/ˈbɑɹoʊɝ/ (US) · /bˈɒɹəʊɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/borrower
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Commonly paired with the preposition 'from' to indicate the source of the loan.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.