English Reference
Noun

guarantor

n. countable
C1 Advanced US /ˌɡɛɹənˈtɔɹ/ UK /ɡˈæɹɑːntˌɔː/ guar·an·tor UK spelling guarantors

n.a person or company that promises to pay a debt if someone else cannot. You often see this in contracts for loans or when renting an apartment.

n.a person or entity that provides a guarantee for the performance of a duty or the payment of a debt. Often used in legal or financial contexts to describe a third party assuming liability.


SIMPLE

The bank asked for a guarantor before approving the loan.

CONTEXTUAL

Because the student had no credit history, her parents had to act as guarantors for the apartment lease.

COMPLEX

The treaty required a neutral third party to serve as a guarantor, ensuring that both nations would adhere to the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

He would co-sign their lease - becoming the legal guarantor for their apartment.

BBC News· 29 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated