Debt definition
An example of debt is what you owe on your mortgage and car loan.
An example of debt is a feeling of gratitude when someone helps you to go to college.
I am in your debt.
To be in debt a thousand dollars.
Students burdened with debt.
A young family always in debt.
Invested in government debt; a company issuing debt.
A criminal repaying his debt to society.
Used the proceeds to pay off her debts; a debt of gratitude.
- to be indebted, obligated, or beholden to someone
Other Word Forms
Noun
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
Origin of debt
- Middle English dette from Old French from Vulgar Latin dēbita pl. of Latin dēbitum debt neuter past participle of dēbēre to owe ghabh- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Wiktionary
- The unpronounced "b" in the modern English spelling is a Latinisation from the Latin etymon dēbitum.
From Wiktionary