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. bad debt
   bad debt 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

   oxygen debt

   sleep debt

debt

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

Derived Forms

• ˈdebtless, adjective

Other Words From

• debtless adjective
• super·debt 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 rest plan to restructure their debts, close money-losing stores, and continue operation.

From Quartz

“There is so much debt production and debt monetization,” Dalio said.

From Fortune

The cost of the combined wars will probably surpass $7 trillion by 2056, when interest on the debt is considered, almost four decades from now.

From Washington Post

They also like precious metals and debt of just about any flavor.

From Fortune

Local banks, meanwhile, keep securitizing their mortgage debt, sloughing off their own liabilities.

From ProPublica

Big discounts and cheap credit keep them coming back for more; and keep millions in perpetual debt.

From The Daily Beast

Some of the concern over student debt is likely driven by the startling headline numbers.

From The Daily Beast

These low-income students take on debt and are also the least likely to finish.

From The Daily Beast

By 2013, the company owed the lender about $35,000 per month—solely in interest payments—and imploded in debt.

From The Daily Beast

“So let history record that Iran owes an invaluable debt to al Qaeda,” he added.

From The Daily Beast

It is painful to add, that the latter years of his life were passed in prison, where he was confined for debt.

From Project Gutenberg

It sent gold to Paris as fast as it could be shipped and insured, and so seems to have liquidated its debt.

From Project Gutenberg

This rascal was owed a debt for the indignity he had offered the sahib in the village, and now he was paid in full.

From Project Gutenberg

In conclusion, I must distress my friend J. M. Barrie (who gave me a first chance) by acknowledging my great debt to him.

From Project Gutenberg

I owe you a large debt of gratitude, which I want to work out—so do not talk of sending me away.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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