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
   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.

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

Energy companies say they have put extra support in place to help customers cope with the situation, such as emergency credit, hardship funds or striking off some debts or standing charges.

From BBC

The president has always maintained that if people want better public services and a reduction in the country’s debt burden, they have to pay up.

From BBC

They fear any more loans will increase their existing debt burdens.

From BBC

"This government will never play fast and loose with the public finances. Our new robust fiscal rules will deliver stability by getting debt down while prioritising investment to deliver growth."

From BBC

Zaslav’s company is desperate to pay down debt taken on two years ago when the smaller Discovery merged with WarnerMedia, relieving AT&T of its entertainment headache.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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