guarantor
/ˌɡærənˈtɔː(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɡærənˈtɔːr/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌger-ən-ˈtȯr ˌgär-, ˌga-rən-; ˈger-ən-tər, ˈgär-, ˈga-rən-/ (ame, mw)
guarantor — noun
- guarantorsingular
- guarantorsplural
1. a person or organization that promises to repay a debt if the original borrower
a person or organization that promises to repay a debt if the original borrower fails to do so — the guarantor is legally required to cover the unpaid amount.
The bank requires a guarantor before approving a loan for a new business.
require a guarantor before [financial action]
Diego's parents acted as guarantors for his student loan at the local bank.
If the borrower stops paying, the guarantor must repay the remaining balance.
Emma signed the document to become a guarantor for her brother's mortgage.
Small businesses often struggle to find a guarantor willing to take the risk.
- co-signer
a co-signer signs the loan with the borrower and shares responsibility from the start, whereas a guarantor steps in only after default
- surety
more formal and legal — a surety is bound to pay the debt if the principal fails; often interchangeable but more common in legal documents
- backer
informal — a backer provides money but may not have a signed legal promise
文法句型
guarantor for + loan / mortgage
用法筆記
This is the most common sense in everyday language. In legal terms, a guarantor is different from a co-signer: a guarantor is only required to pay after the borrower has defaulted, while a co-signer shares responsibility from the start.
常見錯誤
2. a person who formally agrees to take responsibility for someone else — for examp
a person who formally agrees to take responsibility for someone else — for example, vouching for that person's character, behaviour, or ability to meet the terms of an agreement.
Arjun asked his former professor to be a guarantor for his visa application.
guarantor for [person / application]
Kwame's sister agreed to act as a guarantor when he rented his first apartment.
Without a guarantor, Mei-Lin could not enroll in the exchange program.
The refugee resettlement agency served as a guarantor for the family's housing.
Omar's employer became his guarantor for the rental contract on the office space.
文法句型
guarantor for + noun/person
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the pattern 'act as / serve as a guarantor for + person or purpose.' Unlike sense 1, this sense does not involve a financial promise to repay a loan.
常見錯誤
3. a person or organization that makes certain something will happen or that a part
a person or organization that makes certain something will happen or that a particular standard, right, or quality is preserved — for example, a body that guarantees a fair election or a committee that protects academic standards.
The committee appointed Dr. Wei as the guarantor of academic standards at the university.
guarantor of [abstract noun]: standards / peace / rights
The United Nations acts as a guarantor of peace in the conflict region.
Local election monitors served as guarantors that the vote would be fair.
The constitution is meant to be a guarantor of every citizen's basic rights.
An independent press is often called a guarantor of democracy in open societies.
- underwriter
more specific — an underwriter also bears financial risk, while a guarantor may give a non-financial assurance
- sponsor
wider — a sponsor provides money or support rather than a formal assurance
- backer
informal — a backer supports an idea or project, often with money or influence
文法句型
guarantor of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Common with an of-phrase naming the outcome or value being protected. Subject is often an institution, law, or role rather than an individual.