debtors

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   People or organizations that owe money to someone else.

   Grammar: Plural of debtor; use a plural verb, as in 'Debtors are listed in the report.'

   Patterns

   • debtors owe money to someone
   • a list of debtors
   • creditors and debtors

   The bank sent reminder letters to all its debtors.

   In accounting, debtors are the customers who still owe the company money.

   Creditors and debtors were both invited to the meeting about the failed business.

2. 2nounpluralbusinessfinance

   The customers who owe a business money, treated as a single item in its accounts.

   Grammar: In business English this plural is often used like an uncountable heading, as in 'debtors rose by 5%'.

   Patterns

   • debtors rose/fell
   • money tied up in debtors

   Debtors rose sharply last quarter because we gave longer credit terms.

   Too much cash is tied up in debtors, so the firm is short of money now.

Word forms

Common combinations

a list of debtors

The court published a list of debtors who had ignored the order.

chase debtors

The company hired an agency to chase debtors for unpaid invoices.

debtors and creditors

The course explains the difference between debtors and creditors.

a debtor's prison

In the nineteenth century, debtors could be sent to a debtor's prison.

Synonyms and how they differ

borrowers

People who have taken money on loan; it stresses the act of borrowing rather than the money still owed.

owes

Not a noun, but the everyday verb: 'He owes me $50' is more natural in speech than calling him a debtor.

Opposites

Word family

debtor noun

The singular form: one person or firm that owes money.

debt noun

The money that is owed.

indebted adjective

Owing money, or grateful to someone for help.

Commonly confused: debtors or debt? debtors or creditors?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “debtors”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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