debt

[det]

noun

1. something that is owed or that one is bound to pay to or perform for another.

   a debt of $50.

   Synonyms: due, duty, obligation

2. a liability or obligation to pay or render something.

   My debt to her for advice is not to be discharged easily.

3. the condition of being under such an obligation.

   His gambling losses put him deeply in debt.

4. Theology.,  an offense requiring reparation; a sin; a trespass.

debt

/ dɛt /

noun

1. something that is owed, such as money, goods, or services

2. a debt that has little or no prospect of being paid

3. an obligation to pay or perform something; liability

4. the state of owing something, esp money, or of being under an obligation (esp in the phrases in debt, in ( someone's ) debt )

5. a temporary failure to maintain the necessary supply of something

   sleep debt

   oxygen debt

debt

1. Money, goods, or services owed by an individual, firm, or government to another individual, firm, or government.

Other Word Forms

• debtless adjective
• superdebt noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of debt¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English dette, from Old French, from Latin dēbita (neuter plural, taken in Vulgar Latin as feminine singular), noun use of dēbitus “owed,” past participle of dēbēre “to owe,” contraction of dēhabēre (unrecorded), from dē- de- + habēre “to have”

Word History and Origins

Origin of debt¹

C13: from Old French dette, from Latin dēbitum, from dēbēre to owe, from _de- + habēre to have; English spelling influenced by the Latin etymon

Idioms and Phrases

see head over heels (in debt).

Example Sentences

The Clippers are, by far, the biggest creditor listed for the company, with more than $30 million in outstanding debt.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The head of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, said the farmhouse was subject to an eviction order due to debts accrued by the three owners.

Read more on BBC

She said she cannot get her name off, but she had him sign a notarized affidavit that he is solely responsible for the debt.

Read more on MarketWatch

Altman has discussed new tools to help finance his aspirations; realizing them increasingly involves large amounts of debt.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“White House’s unorthodox policy framework should remain supportive for gold,” the team says in a research report, citing drivers including fiscal deficits, rising debt, and a push to cut rates.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• arrears 
• bill 
• capital 
• commitment 
• credit 
• damage 
• deficit 
• due 
• indebtedness 
• liability 
• mortgage 
• obligation 
• price tag 
• receipt