borrower
UK: /ˈbɒr.əʊ.ər/ | US: /ˈbɑːr.oʊ.ɚ/
n. a person or entity that receives something (typically money or goods) with the intention of returning or repaying it.
The word "borrower" combines the verb "borrow," derived from Old English "borgian" (to pledge, lend, or take temporarily), with the agentive suffix "-er," which denotes a person performing an action. The root "borrow" originally implied a mutual exchange or guarantee (linked to Old English "borg," meaning security). Over time, "borrow" narrowed to mean taking temporarily, and "-er" standardized its use for the actor (e.g., "lender" vs. "borrower"). This reflects the Germanic tradition of forming agent nouns, later reinforced by French/Latin influences.
The borrower must return the book to the library by the due date.
Banks assess the creditworthiness of a borrower before approving loans.
As a frequent borrower, she always repays her debts on time.
The contract clearly states the obligations of the borrower.
Ancient societies often viewed a borrower as morally bound to their lender.