debtor

[ det-er ]

/ ˈdɛt ər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR debtor ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who is in debt or under financial obligation to another (opposed to creditor).

Nearby words

debt limit, debt of honor, debt of honour, debt service, debt swap, debtor, debtor nation, debud, debug, debulking operation, debunk

Origin of debtor

1250–1300; Middle English detto(u)r < Anglo-French dett(o)ur, de(b)tour, Old French det(t)or < Latin dēbitōr-, stem of dēbitor, equivalent to dēbi-, variant stem of dēbēre (see debt) + -tor -tor

Related forms

non·debt·or, nounpre·debt·or, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for debtor

But that means that the debtor will be on the hook for somewhere around 25% of the forgiven debt.
Ask the Blogger|Megan McArdle|December 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Bartleby ends in debtor's prison, where the lawyer visits him and finds him - dead.
David's Bookclub: Bartleby the Scrivener|David Frum|November 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Given all that, the chances of the IRS coming after the debtor for income tax on the forgiven debt are exactly zero.
Debt and Taxes|Megan McArdle|November 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In Europe the principal divide that has opened is among countries, with debtor nations pitted against creditor nations.
Top Economists on How to Fix the Economy||October 12, 2011|DAILY BEAST

The document gave Billings claim to all personal property, bank accounts, and future earnings of the debtor.
New Suspect in Florida Killings|Rick Outzen|July 23, 2009|DAILY BEAST
A ‘political’ is not identified with the criminal any more than a debtor is identified with a felon in England.
Russian Life To-day|Right Rev. Herbert Bury
I am obliged to you for the gentleness and moderation of your dun, considering how long I have been your debtor.
The Gaming Table: Its Votaries and Victims|Andrew Steinmetz
You are my debtor, Cadet—I shall call you that: you shall have a chance of paying.
The Trespasser, Complete|Gilbert Parker
He could not escape his debtor and his debtor's awful sufferings on account of not being able to pay.
Life On The Mississippi, Complete|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
Thus time alone relieves a debtor nation, so long as its population increases faster than unpaid interest accumulates on its debt.
The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Six|Abraham Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for debtor

debtor

/ (ˈdɛtə) /

noun

a person or commercial enterprise that owes a financial obligationCompare creditor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012