noun
debtor
DET-er/ˈdetər/
A person or organization that owes money.
The debtor hands over part of the money he owes.
Etymology
The ancestor names the owing party in an obligation. Historically, a debtor could owe goods or services as well as money; the selected sense focuses on the financial form of that relationship.
In context
No wonder they say the debtor is king, and the lender is a beggar.
More examples
- The bank contacted the debtor about the overdue balance.
- Several debtors attended the hearing.
- The company became the largest debtor in the dispute.
Forms
debtor · debtors
Similar words
- borrower
- A borrower has received something on loan; a debtor owes money, including debts not created by borrowing.
- creditor
- A creditor is the person owed money; a debtor is the person who owes it.