insolvent
/ɪnˈsɒlvənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈsɑːlvənt/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)in-ˈsäl-vənt -ˈsȯl-/ (ame, mw)
insolvent — adjective
- insolventpositive
- more insolventcomparative
- most insolventsuperlative
1. without enough money or assets to settle what is owed when payment is due, espec
without enough money or assets to settle what is owed when payment is due, especially for a business
After two quiet summers, the travel company became insolvent in October.
pattern: become insolvent
The court stopped the insolvent builder from taking new customer payments.
before noun: insolvent builder
When sales collapsed, Padma's small factory was insolvent within three months.
Several insolvent airlines asked banks for extra time to repay loans.
Matthew sold the shop after rising rent left his business insolvent.
- bankrupt
often points to a legal status or formal process, not just the condition
- cash-strapped
weaker and often temporary, with less focus on unpaid debts
- debt-ridden
emphasizes having many debts, not necessarily failing to pay them yet
- solvent
able to pay debts when they are due
- financially stable
broadly secure and not under serious money pressure
文法句型
be insolvent
become insolvent
an insolvent company
用法筆記
Often used in business, financial, and legal contexts for a company or person that cannot meet debts. Distinguish it from bankrupt: insolvent names the financial condition, while bankrupt often refers to a formal legal status or process.
常見錯誤
insolvent — noun
1. a person or organization whose debts cannot be paid on time
a person or organization whose debts cannot be paid on time
Before the hearing, the insolvent met a lawyer from the legal aid office.
noun use: the insolvent
Creditors may pursue an insolvent who hides money from the court.
Under the new rule, some taxes still apply to an insolvent.
In the filing, each insolvent had to list debts and property.
After months of letters, the judge gave the insolvent more time to pay.
文法句型
an insolvent
the insolvent
each insolvent
用法筆記
This noun is formal and mostly appears in court, financial, or official writing. In everyday English, people usually say that someone or a company is insolvent rather than call them an insolvent.