Word
debtor
US/ˈdɛtɝ/
UK/dˈɛtɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person or business that owes money to another person or a bank.
n. an entity that owes a financial obligation to a creditor. The term is standard in accounting and legal proceedings.
Examples
“The debtor promised to pay back the loan by next month.”
“If a debtor fails to make payments on time, the bank may take legal action to recover the funds.”
“The international treaty aims to provide relief for any debtor nation struggling to meet its interest obligations due to sudden currency devaluation.”
Examples
simple
“The debtor promised to pay back the loan by next month.”
contextual
“If a debtor fails to make payments on time, the bank may take legal action to recover the funds.”
complex
“The international treaty aims to provide relief for any debtor nation struggling to meet its interest obligations due to sudden currency devaluation.”
Usage
Commonly paired with 'creditor' as its functional opposite in financial reporting.
Pitfall
The debtor paid his debt to the bank.
The debtor paid his debt to the creditor.
While a bank is often the lender, in formal writing, the person who is owed money is specifically called the 'creditor'.
Real-World Examples
“That helps debtors get back on their feet.” Etymology
From Middle English dettour, from Old French detour, from Latin debitor, equivalent to debt + -or. Doublet of debitor. Displaced native Old English *sċola.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Domains
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
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