# guarantor

/ˌɡɛɹənˈtɔɹ/ (US) · /ɡˈæɹɑːntˌɔː/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/guarantor
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The bank asked for a guarantor before approving the loan.
- Because the student had no credit history, her parents had to act as guarantors for the apartment lease.
- 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.

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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.