insolvent

1 of 2

adjective

in·​sol·​vent (ˌ)in-ˈsäl-vənt 

-ˈsȯl-

1

a

: unable to pay debts as they fall due in the usual course of business

b

: having liabilities in excess of a reasonable market value of assets held

2

: insufficient to pay all debts

an insolvent estate

insolvent

2 of 2

noun

plural insolvents

: an insolvent debtor : a person or entity that is unable to pay debts as they fall due

The country's newspapers regularly published legal notices that announced private assignments for the benefit of creditors, the attachments by creditors against the property of absconding debtors, and court-mandated auctions of assets owned by insolvents.

—Edward J. Balleisen

Examples of insolvent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) has warned for the last several years that the agency is in a structural deficit and could become insolvent by 2027, noting that many residents who used to pay into the revenue stream are now exempt after installing home solar. —Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 22 May 2024

The fact that the slower-growing portion of Medicare will nonetheless be insolvent by 2036 should still be alarming. —The Editors, National Review, 8 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1725, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

insolvent

adjective

in·​sol·​vent (ˈ)in-ˈsäl-vənt 

: not having or providing enough money to pay debts

an insolvent company

Legal Definition

insolvent

adjective

in·​sol·​vent in-ˈsäl-vənt 

1

: having ceased paying or unable to pay debts as they fall due in the usual course of business compare bankrupt

2

: having liabilities in excess of a reasonable market value of assets held

3

: insufficient to pay all debts

an insolvent estate

insolvent noun