Skip to main content

debt β€” money that is owed or due to someone else

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: money that is owed or due to someone else

Pronunciation (IPA): /det/

Example Sentences

  • My credit card debt grew faster than my hair after a bad haircut.
  • She worked two jobs to clear her debt before graduation.
  • The government's debt is so large, even calculators get scared.

debt

NOUN

[/det/]

money that is owed or due to someone else

A homeowner shows their debt situation to a bank representative
πŸ’‘ Concept

A homeowner shows their debt situation to a bank representative

When debt leads to another bet, even the safety net won't protect!
🎡 Rhyme

When debt leads to another bet, even the safety net won't protect!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎀Pronunciation

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ US/det/
πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ UK/det/

🌳Etymology

Rootdebt

Origin

The word derives from Latin 'debitum', the past participle of 'debere' (to owe), literally meaning 'something owed' or 'obligation'. It entered English through Old French 'dette' during the medieval period, where the Latin spelling was preserved despite the 'b' becoming silent in pronunciation.

Breakdown

de- (away, from) + -bere (to carry, bear) β†’ debitum (that which is owed) β†’ Old French dette β†’ Middle English debt. The silent 'b' was retained to honor the Latin etymon.

🎡Rhyme

betnetsetgetmet
bet
net
set
get
met

πŸ”—Collocations

pay off debt
national debt
debt crisis
in debt
debt collector
write off debt

πŸ“Examples

πŸ˜„ Fun example

β€œMy credit card debt grew faster than my hair after a bad haircut.”

β€œShe worked two jobs to clear her debt before graduation.”

πŸ˜„ Fun example

β€œThe government's debt is so large, even calculators get scared.”

πŸ˜„ Fun example

β€œBeing in debt taught me that money doesn't grow on trees, but bills definitely do.”

πŸ“šRelated Words

Synonyms

obligationliabilityarrearsduescredit

Antonyms

assetcreditsurplus

Related

loanmortgageinterestcreditordebtorbankruptcy

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.