# underwriter

/ˈəndɝˌɹaɪtɝ/ (US) · /ˌʌndəɹˈaɪtɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/underwriter
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

a person or company that checks the risk in an insurance deal, loan, or investment and agrees to pay if something goes wrong. You see this word a lot in banking and insurance.

For teachers: a professional or institution that evaluates financial risk and assumes liability in return for a premium or fee, most commonly in insurance, lending, or securities issuance.

## Examples

- The underwriter approves our home insurance policy.
- The mortgage underwriter reviews the couple's income and credit history before approving the loan.
- After the startup filed for an IPO, the lead underwriter priced the shares conservatively to balance investor demand against the risk of a first-day sell-off.

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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.