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

Once the auction concludes and a winning bid is accepted, the debtor must obtain court approval based on factors such as whether the sale will be in the best interest of the estate and is conducted in good faith. —Jonathan Carson, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows debtors to reorganize their financial affairs, typically while remaining in control of the business. —Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026

For example, creditors may attempt to freeze a joint account if one account holder is the debtor. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 June 2026

In Colorado, 33% of debtors now cite everyday expenses – groceries, utilities and childcare – as the primary reason for their debt. —Ali Besharat, The Conversation, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for debtor

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

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.”