Borrower: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to someone who has taken something, typically money, from another party with the intention of returning it, often within a certain period and usually involving an agreement.

• The borrower agreed to repay the loan within five years.

Refer to someone who owes money to another party. This term tends to have a more formal or legal tone and is often used in financial contexts.

• The debtor struggled to make the required payments on time.

This term is specific to someone who has taken out a mortgage loan. It refers to the individual or entity that has pledged property as security for the loan.

• As the mortgagor, she was responsible for making monthly payments to the bank.

Use in formal, legal, or financial situations to describe someone who has a legal obligation to pay a debt or fulfill an obligation.

• In the contract, the obligor was required to make regular payments until the debt was fully repaid.

A person who takes something, usually money or items, with the intention of returning it.

• John is a reliable borrower who always returns the things he borrows on time.
• The bank requires borrowers to provide collateral for large loans.

Anyone who engages in reading, whether it's books, articles, or other forms of written content. This word does not imply borrowing.

• Elena is an avid reader who enjoys novels, magazines, and online blogs.
• As a child, James was a dedicated reader, always with his nose in a book.

A person who visits and uses the resources provided by a library, which may include borrowing books, using computers, or attending events.

• As a dedicated library user, Michael attends the weekly book club meetings and often uses the study rooms.
• Library users now have access to a wide range of digital resources and online databases.

A person who specifically borrows books, typically from a library.

• Alice is an avid book borrower; she's always reading something new from the library.
• The library has a register to keep track of book borrowers and the books they take out.