insolvent

American  

[in-sol-vuhnt] / ɪnˈsɒl vənt /

adjective

1. not solvent; unable to satisfy creditors or discharge liabilities, either because liabilities exceed assets or because of inability to pay debts as they mature.

   Synonyms:

   bankrupt, impoverished, destitute, penniless

2. pertaining to bankrupt persons or bankruptcy.

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noun

1. a person who is insolvent.

insolvent British  

/ ɪnˈsɒlvənt /

adjective

1. (of a person, company, etc) having insufficient assets to meet debts and liabilities; bankrupt

2. of or relating to bankrupts or bankruptcy

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noun

1. a person who is insolvent; bankrupt

Other Word Forms

• insolvency noun

Etymology

Origin of insolvent

First recorded in 1585–95; in- ³ + solvent

Example Sentences

What happens if the annuity issuer becomes insolvent?

From The Wall Street Journal

If not, he will be insolvent in a few quarters.

From The Wall Street Journal

Less than two weeks after the court’s ruling, unnamed buyers had backed out of their planned purchase of Richmond’s insolvent Versante Hotel.

From The Wall Street Journal

Gary’s estate can’t afford to pay more; it’s insolvent because of the CIM loan, his representatives explained in mediation this year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Prosecutors said the firm continued to trade despite being insolvent and unable to meet its obligations.

From BBC

Related Words

• bankrupt
• broke
• failed
• indebted
• strapped