oweverb [ T ]
uk/əʊ/us/oʊ/owe verb [ T ] (HAVE DEBTS)
B1 to need to pay or give something to someone because they have lent money to you, or in exchange for something they have done for you:
[ + two objects ] I owe Janet $50.
We still owe $1,000 on our car (= we still need to pay $1,000 before we own our car).
I owe you a drink for helping me move.
I think you owe (= should give) me an explanation/apology.
See also
IOU
More examples
- "As I recall, " he said with some irritation, "you still owe me £150."
- It's just struck me that I still owe you for the concert tickets.
- It'll be difficult to sort out how much each person owes.
- He'd better pay me back that money he owes me soon, or else.
- I owe you an apology - I'm afraid I forgot to send Amanda that report.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Borrowing & lending
- be in the hole idiom
- borrow
- bounce
- call it quits idiom
- call sth in
- credit
- credit risk
- debenture
- fire sale
- gearing
- leveraged buyout
- liability
- liquidate
- national debt
- overpay
- pay
- put sth up
- slate
- term
- tick
See more results »
owe verb [ T ] (AS A RESULT)
C2 to have success, happiness, a job, etc. only because of what someone has given you or done for you or because of your own efforts:
I owe my success to my education.
He owes his life to the staff at the hospital.
I owe everything (= I am very grateful) to my parents.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Relieved and thankful
- a load/weight off your mind idiom
- appreciative
- beholden
- bless
- cheers!
- count
- I owe you (one) idiom
- million
- mind
- obliged
- release
- relief
- relieved
- ta
- thank you
- thankfully
- thanks
- thanks a million idiom
- vote of thanks
- you shouldn't have idiom
See more results »
Idiom(s)
I owe you (one)
owe sb a living
owe it to yourself