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noun Uncommon

debtor

DEHT-uh
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Debtor (noun) means a person or organisation that owes money to someone else. Example: “The bank sent the debtor a final payment reminder.”

noun
1
A person or organisation that owes money to someone else.
"The debtor agreed to repay the loan within six months."
"The bank sent the debtor a final payment reminder."
"Under the agreement, the debtor has 30 days to settle the invoice."
"The law protects both the debtor and the creditor."

How to use debtor

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who owes money — the opposite of a creditor, who is owed money.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
a debtor country creditor and debtor
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Word forms

Plural
debtors
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The bank sent the _____ a final payment reminder.

Etymology

From Old French detour, from Latin debitor, "one who owes" — built the same way as "debt" + "-or."

Origin: Latin

debitor borrower

Antonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “debtor” mean?
The word “debtor” means a person or organisation that owes money to someone else. In plain terms, someone who owes money — the opposite of a creditor, who is owed money.
How do you pronounce “debtor”?
“Debtor” is pronounced DEHT-uh (/ˈdɛt.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “debtor” in a sentence?
Here is “debtor” used in a sentence: “The bank sent the debtor a final payment reminder.”
What part of speech is “debtor”?
“Debtor” is a noun.
Where does the word “debtor” come from?
The word “debtor” comes from Latin. From Old French detour, from Latin debitor, "one who owes" — built the same way as "debt" + "-or.".
Is “debtor” a common word?
“Debtor” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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