insolvent

1 of 2

adjective

in·​sol·​vent (ˌ)in-ˈsäl-vənt 

-ˈsȯl-

1

a

: unable to pay debts as they fall due in the usual course of business

b

: having liabilities in excess of a reasonable market value of assets held

2

: insufficient to pay all debts

an insolvent estate

insolvent

2 of 2

noun

plural insolvents

: an insolvent debtor : a person or entity that is unable to pay debts as they fall due

The country's newspapers regularly published legal notices that announced private assignments for the benefit of creditors, the attachments by creditors against the property of absconding debtors, and court-mandated auctions of assets owned by insolvents.

—Edward J. Balleisen

Examples of insolvent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That would be the one good thing about an insolvent Chicago. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026

Many speculators were insolvent, and the banks that had lent to them were in similarly dire shape. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 15 June 2026

Noun

But if a well is deserted or an operator insolvent, the state can be responsible for plugging it. — Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026

This omnibus pledge can have the effect of rendering the debtor insolvent such that any transfer that the debtor tries to make for asset protection purposes is voidable by a creditor. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1725, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for insolvent

• resolvent
• solvent

Kids Definition

insolvent

adjective

in·​sol·​vent (ˈ)in-ˈsäl-vənt 

: not having or providing enough money to pay debts

an insolvent company

Legal Definition

insolvent

adjective

in·​sol·​vent in-ˈsäl-vənt 

1

: having ceased paying or unable to pay debts as they fall due in the usual course of business compare bankrupt

2

: having liabilities in excess of a reasonable market value of assets held

3

: insufficient to pay all debts

an insolvent estate

insolvent noun