Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

owing

adjective ow·ing \ ˈō-iŋ \

Definition of owing

: due to be paid
  • has bills owing

See owing defined for English-language learners

See owing defined for kids

Examples of owing in a Sentence

  1. there's one bill still owing

First Known Use of owing

15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

owing Synonyms

Synonyms

outstanding, overdue, owed, payable, unpaid, unsettled;

Antonyms

cleared, liquidated, paid (off or up), repaid, settled;

Near Antonyms

prepaid;

Related Words

due, mature;

Other Economics Terms

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

OWING Defined for English Language Learners

owing

adjective

Definition of owing for English Language Learners

  • : due to be paid

Learn More about owing

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for owing Nglish: Translation of owing for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of owing for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up owing? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

nonchalant

play

having an air of easy unconcern

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  2. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  3. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  4. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

  5. emolument 'the returns arising from office or employment usually in the form of compensation or perquisites'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

OWF
owing
owk

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games