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

Lawmakers debate debt relief proposals As debtors and labor unions gathered outside Congress on Wednesday, lawmakers agreed to take up 50 proposals to ease household debt, including interest-rate caps and refinancing plans. — Débora Rey, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

His company’s lawyers have been in contact with Spirit debtors’ legal team and plan to defend Springshot’s proprietary data at the upcoming hearing. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2026

By the July 22 bid deadline, the debtors had received two non-binding terms sheets, including the bid from BC Partners, which was ultimately selected. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2026

While other bidders bid with hard cash, a judgment creditor may instead bid a portion of the judgment held against the debtor. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 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.”