underwriter

noun

un·​der·​writ·​er ˈən-dər-ˌrī-tər 

ˈən-də-

1

: one that underwrites : guarantor

2

a

: one that underwrites a policy of insurance : insurer

b

: one who selects risks to be solicited or rates the acceptability of risks solicited

3

: one that underwrites a security issue

Examples of underwriter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Goldman Sachs was one of the top initial public offering underwriters last month. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026

Demand was strong enough to trigger an overallotment option that allows the underwriter to purchase an additional 600,000 shares over the next 30 days. —Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2026

Cantor has clearly benefitted from its ties to Lutnick, becoming a big underwriter of deals aligned with the administration’s crypto, AI, energy, and national security agenda. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026

Martin de Anda, another Gen Zer, chose to supplement his loan underwriter job in Los Angeles by handing out flyers for other businesses. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for underwriter

• copywriter
• expediter
• biter
• brighter
• fighter
• lighter
• miter
• niter
• reiter
• righter
• slighter
• tighter

Legal Definition

underwriter

noun

un·​der·​writ·​er ˈən-dər-ˌrī-tər 

1

a

: a person (as an individual or a company) who underwrites an insurance policy : insurer

b

: a person who assesses risks to be covered by an insurance policy

2

: a person (as an individual or company) who underwrites a security issue compare issuer

Note: The Securities Act of 1933 requires dealers, issuers, and underwriters to file registration statements for the securities that they sell.