indebted

[ in-det-id ]

adjective

1. committed or obligated to repay a monetary loan:

   He was indebted to his friend for a large sum.

   Synonyms: bound

2. obligated for favors or kindness received:

   He was indebted to her for nursing him through pneumonia.

   Synonyms: grateful, beholden

indebted

/ ɪnˈdɛtɪd /

adjective

1. owing gratitude for help, favours, etc; obligated
2. owing money

Other Words From

• prein·debted adjective
• prein·debted·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of indebted¹

1175–1225; in- ² + debt + -ed ²; replacing Middle English endetted < Old French endetté, past participle of endetter to involve in debt ( en- ¹ )

Example Sentences

It has debts of around $100bn, making it the world’s most indebted oil firm.

From BBC

The 16-year-old's family added: "We are indebted to everyone involved and would like to convey our sincerest thanks."

From BBC

"Above all, I am indebted to all my colleagues at Oxford whose work continues to fire our imaginations, inspire generations, and confront some of the greatest challenges facing our planet," the professor concluded.

From BBC

How indebted can a novelist be to the work of other people?

From Los Angeles Times

Analysts say Thames Water's current debt amounts to about 80% of the value of the business, making it the most heavily indebted of England and Wales' water companies.

From BBC

Related Words

• appreciative
• beholden
• duty-bound
• grateful
• obligated
• obliged
• thankful