What does indorser mean?
An indorser is a person who gives formal or public approval to someone or something. The term commonly describes someone who endorses a political candidate, supports a proposal, or vouches for another person's character, work, or conduct. In legal and financial contexts, it can also mean a person who signs or confirms a negotiable document, especially by writing on its back. Although 'endorser' is the standard spelling in contemporary English, 'indorser' is still encountered chiefly in US legal language and preserves the older connection between endorsement and the physical signing of a document. The word is most useful when the approval is formal, official, or publicly associated with the indorser's name.
A person who formally or publicly approves, supports, or recommends someone or something.
"The organization named prominent indorsers of the reform campaign."
The spelling is chiefly used in US legal usage; 'endorser' is preferred in general English.
A person who signs or confirms the back of a negotiable document.
"The indorser transferred the note by signing its reverse side."
This sense is chiefly legal and financial.
The standard plural of indorser is indorsers.
"The campaign collected endorsements from thousands of indorsers."
An indorser can approve a public figure with a signature, but in older legal language the word refers to the hand physically placed on the back of a document.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does indorser come from?
Indorser derives from the verb 'indorse', a spelling variant of 'endorse'. The verb comes from Latin 'endorse', formed from 'in-' and 'dorsum', meaning 'back', reflecting the practice of writing approval on the back of a document. The modern 'endorser' spelling became dominant, while 'indorser' remained in use in some US legal contexts.
Related word forms
How indorser is actually used
The spelling 'indorser' is chiefly associated with US legal usage; 'endorser' is the more usual spelling in general modern English.
Easily confused with indorser
Endorser is the standard modern spelling, while indorser is chiefly a US legal variant of the same word.