owes; owed; owing
1 : to need to pay or repay money to a person, bank, business, etc.
[+ object]
I still owe money on the car. [=I have not yet paid back all the money I borrowed to buy the car]
We owe no income tax.
He owes me $5.
[no object]
I still owe on the car.
2 [+ object]
a : to need to do or give something to someone who has done something for you or given something to you
I owe you a drink/favor.
I owe you my thanks.
(informal) What do you mean you won't help? You owe me!
b — used to say that something should be done for or given to someone
You owe me an explanation.
I owe you an apology.
The senator is owed a degree of respect. [=the senator deserves some respect]
3 [+ object] — used to indicate the person or thing that made something possible
She owes her family for her success. [=her family enabled her to become successful]
— often + to
I owe my success to my teachers. [=my teachers deserve credit for my success]
She owes her success to hard work. [=she has succeeded because of hard work]
He owes his wealth to his father.
owe a debt of gratitude/thanks to someone
— see DEBT