owe

[oh]

verb (used with object)

owed, owing 

1. to be under obligation to pay or repay.

   to owe money to the bank; to owe the bank interest on a mortgage.

2. to be in debt to.

   He says he doesn't owe anybody.

3. to be indebted (to) as the cause or source of.

   to owe one's fame to good fortune.

4. to have or bear (a feeling or attitude) toward someone or something.

   to owe gratitude to one's rescuers.

5. Obsolete.,  to possess; own.

verb (used without object)

owed, owing 

1. to be in debt.

   Neither lend nor owe. Who owes for the antipasto?

owe

/ əʊ /

verb

1. to be under an obligation to pay (someone) to the amount of

2. (intr) to be in debt

   he still owes for his house

3. (often foll by to) to have as a result (of)

   he owes his success to chance

4. to feel the need or obligation to do, give, etc

   to owe somebody thanks

   to owe it to oneself to rest

5. to hold or maintain in the mind or heart (esp in the phrase owe a grudge )

Word History and Origins

Origin of owe¹

before 900; Middle English owen to possess, be under obligation, have to pay; Old English āgan to possess; cognate with Old High German eigan, Old Norse eiga. See own, ought ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of owe¹

Old English āgan to have (C12: to have to); related to Old Saxon ēgan, Old High German eigan

Example Sentences

In 2023, a UN judge said the UK likely owed more than £18tn in reparations for its historical role in slavery.

From BBC

"I think you owe the president an apology for your entire career," Bondi replied.

From BBC

“The Angels owed Tyler Skaggs a duty to provide a safe place to work and play baseball,” the lawsuit said.

From Los Angeles Times

They still have to pay the pension contributions they would have made, but that bill can be taken off any final payment they are owed.

From BBC

Hernández, 34, owes much of his fall heroics simply to the opportunity to play on the sport’s biggest stage.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• incur