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

Go through underwriting The lender’s underwriter reviews your full financial file in detail. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

Morgan Stanley served as a lead underwriter for CEO Elon Musk's $2 trillion initial public offering of SpaceX on June 12. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026

War-risk underwriters will ask whether paying, or refusing, changes the risk. — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

The SpaceX deal provided a giant payday for these underwriters. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 18 July 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.