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 government would lend Spirit $500 million at a reasonable interest rate, and become the top debtor in the bankruptcy pecking order. —Olivia Rinaldi, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

And in between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026

It is required to be erased from credit reports after seven years; some debtors’ attorneys send anniversary reminders, reminiscent of dentists soliciting tooth cleanings. —George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2026

For debtor countries, following the IMF’s path to creditworthiness came at a price. —Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026

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.”