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

"A couple of folk said you owe them at least a fiver, so I messaged and said if you come back I'll give you a wee something," she added.

Read more on BBC

They wanted to survive with dignity, and I felt that we all owe these people a great sense of debt.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Adam said he owes his life to his wife and his dog.

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Coach Kelly claims LSU is trying to get out of paying what it owes him, saying the firing is for cause.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Another judgment call: Under the accounting rules, Meta would have to include the residual-value guarantee in its lease liabilities if the payments owed are “probable.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• incur