owe

owe · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To be under obligation to pay or repay money.

  2. 2.

    To be morally obligated to give or do something.

  3. 3.

    To have something because of a particular person, quality, or situation.

  4. 4.

    To be indebted for a favor or service.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    owe someone one — to be indebted to someone for a favor
  • •
    owe it to oneself — to deserve something for one's own benefit
  • •
    owing to — because of; due to
  • •
    pay what you owe — to fulfill one's obligations

Related words

Antonyms: pay off, repay, settle
See also: debt, owing, own, repay
Synonyms: be beholden, be indebted, be obligated

Etymology

From Old English āgan ("to own, possess, have"), from Proto-Germanic aiganą. The original meaning was "to possess," which evolved to "to have an obligation to pay" by Middle English. Related to own and ought.