Owe

/oʊ/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To be under obligation to pay or repay money or a favor to someone.

I owe my friend $20 for the concert tickets.

To have a moral obligation to give thanks or to recognize someone's contribution.

I owe my success to my supportive family.

To be required to do something because of a sense of duty or obligation.

You owe it to yourself to pursue your dreams.

To be necessary for someone to pay or settle a debt.

You really owe the bank before you can take out another loan.

Middle English 'owen', from Old English 'āgan' meaning to possess or to own.

owe someone a favor

To be in debt to someone for a help or service.

owe it to oneself

To have a responsibility to prioritize one's own desires or needs.

owe back

To return borrowed money or material to someone.

debt

An amount of money that is owed or due.

obligation

A duty or commitment to pay or do something.

repay

To pay back money that was borrowed.

I owe you one

After you helped me with my homework, I owe you one.

You owe me

Remember lunch last week? You owe me!