debt

[det]

debt Definition

• 1. something, typically money, that is owed or due
• 2. the state of owing money

Using debt: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "debt" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  He is struggling to pay off his debts.

• Example

  The company has a debt of $1 million.

• Example

  I owe a debt of gratitude to my parents for their support.

• Example

  The country's national debt has reached an all-time high.

debt Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for debt

• arrears
• balance
• due
• liability
• obligation

Antonyms for debt

• asset
• credit

Idioms Using debt

• in debt up to one's ears

  to owe a large amount of money

  Example

  After buying a new house and car, he found himself in debt up to his ears.

• run up a debt

  to accumulate a large amount of debt

  Example

  She ran up a debt on her credit card by buying expensive clothes.

• owe a debt of gratitude

  to be very grateful to someone

  Example

  I owe a debt of gratitude to my mentor for helping me get my first job.

Phrases with debt

• bad debt

  a debt that is unlikely to be repaid

  Example

  The bank wrote off the bad debt as a loss.

• debt collector

  a person or company that collects debts on behalf of others

  Example

  The debt collector called several times to demand payment.

• debt relief

  the partial or total forgiveness of debt, or the slowing or stopping of debt growth

  Example

  The government announced a debt relief program for low-income families.

Origins of debt

from Old French 'dete', from Latin 'debita', meaning 'things owed'

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Summary: debt in Brief

The term 'debt' [det] refers to something, usually money, that is owed or due. It can also refer to the state of owing money. Examples include 'He is struggling to pay off his debts,' and 'The country's national debt has reached an all-time high.' Phrases like 'bad debt' and 'debt collector' are also common. Idioms like 'in debt up to one's ears' and 'owe a debt of gratitude' are used to express the extent of indebtedness and gratitude, respectively.