debt

debt

noun \ˈdet\

Definition of DEBT

1

: sin, trespass

2

: something owed : obligation <unable to pay off his debts>

3

: a state of owing <deeply in debt>

4

: the common-law action for the recovery of money held to be due

— debt·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of DEBT

1. He is trying to pay off gambling debts.
2. The company has run up huge debts.
3. Their debts are piling up.
4. He's been working three jobs in an attempt to get out of debt.
5. The company was in debt but is now turning a profit.
6. I am deep in debt.
7. I'm thousands of dollars in debt.
8. She went into debt to pay for college.
9. I'm worried that we will fall into debt.

Origin of DEBT

Middle English dette, debte, from Anglo-French dette something owed, from Vulgar Latin *debita, from Latin, plural of debitum debt, from neuter of debitus, past participle of debēre to owe, from de- + habēre to have — more at give

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to DEBT

Synonyms: arrearage, arrears, indebtedness, liability (usually liabilities), obligation, score

Antonyms: noncrime

Related Words: bond, debit, delinquency; bankruptcy, default, embarrassment, insolvency

Near Antonyms: quietus, quittance, repayment; asset

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

Rhymes with DEBT

bet, fret, get, het, jet, let, Lett, met, net, pet, ret, set, stet, sweat, Tet, threat, vet, wet, whet, yet