debtor

noun

debt·​or ˈde-tər 

1

: one guilty of neglect or violation of duty

2

: one who owes a debt

Examples of debtor in a Sentence

The debtor agrees to pay the debt over a three-year period.

Recent Examples on the Web

The debtors named in the statement were Daniel L. Chandler, Stephen W. Conrad and Matt Zych. —Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025

If the animals are confiscated and relocated to other facilities, debtors can no longer use them to pay off debts. —Jay Reddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025

In the meantime, the best counsel is that if a debtor seeks assistance that might disfavor a creditor, run. —Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

In play is Village Roadshow’s library of 108 feature films, including intellectual property, distribution rights and cash flows along with rights to produce, distribute and otherwise exploit remakes, sequels, and prequels, which the debtors co-own with studio partners – mainly Warner Bros. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for debtor

• better
• bettor
• fetter
• getter
• letter
• netter
• petar
• petter
• rhetor
• setter
• sweater
• tetter

Kids Definition

debtor

noun

debt·​or ˈdet-ər 

1

: sinner

2

: one that owes a debt

Legal Definition

debtor

noun

debt·​or

: a person who owes a debt see also bankrupt compare creditor, obligee, obligor

Note: The Bankruptcy Act of 1978 calls the person concerned in a bankruptcy case the “debtor” as opposed to the “bankrupt.”