insolvent

[in-sol-vuhnt]

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.

noun

1. a person who is insolvent.

insolvent

/ 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

noun

1. a person who is insolvent; bankrupt

Other Word Forms

• insolvency noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of insolvent¹

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

Example Sentences

Goldman would never be so stupid as to make huge naked bets that millions of insolvent Americans would repay their home loans.

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If Hamas, like the insolvent card player, were eliminated, the “process” would be revealed as a sham.

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Even if a higher insurance limit reduces the risk of bank runs, it won’t prevent deeply insolvent banks from failing.

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Most investors seem convinced that Western governments, including the U.S. government but also many others, are effectively insolvent.

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Earlier Thursday, Canadian Public Works Minister Joel Lightbound said state-owned Canada Post “is effectively insolvent,” and required a onetime $700 million loan earlier this year to stay afloat and meet payroll requirements.

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Related Words

• bankrupt 
• broke 
• failed 
• indebted 
• strapped