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August 20, 2020 Word of the Day

owe /ˈoʊ/ verb
owe
/ˈoʊ/
verb

owes; owed; owing

The boy owes his friend some money.
The boy owes his friend some money.
Definition of OWE

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

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