debit
DEHB-iht
Debit (noun) means Money taken out of an account, or the record of that withdrawal. Example: “There's an unexpected debit of £40 on my statement.”
noun
1
Money taken out of an account, or the record of that withdrawal.
"There's an unexpected debit of £40 on my statement."
"Check your recent debits before you query the balance."
verb
1
To take money out of an account, or record it as owed.
"The gym will debit your card on the first of every month."
How to use debit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMoney leaving an account, as opposed to a credit, which is money coming in.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "credit," which is money added to an account, not taken from it.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
debit an account
a direct debit
debit card
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Word forms
- Plural
- debits
- Third person singular
- debits
- Past tense
- debited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There's an unexpected _____ of £40 on my statement.
Etymology
From Latin debitum, "what is owed" — the same root that gives us "debt" (they are doublets, two words descended from the same Latin source).
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “debit” mean?
The word “debit” means money taken out of an account, or the record of that withdrawal. In plain terms, money leaving an account, as opposed to a credit, which is money coming in.
How do you pronounce “debit”?
“Debit” is pronounced DEHB-iht (/ˈdɛb.ɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “debit” in a sentence?
Here is “debit” used in a sentence: “Check your recent debits before you query the balance.”
What is the opposite of “debit”?
The opposite of “debit” — its antonyms — is credit.
What part of speech is “debit”?
Depending on how it is used, “debit” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “debit” come from?
The word “debit” comes from Latin. From Latin debitum, "what is owed" — the same root that gives us "debt" (they are doublets, two words descended from the same Latin source).
Is “debit” a common word?
“Debit” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “debit” have?
“Debit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: money taken out of an account, or the record of that withdrawal.
What is the difference between "debit" and "credit"?
A "debit" is money taken out of an account, while a "credit" is money added into an account. In accounting, the two terms describe opposite sides of a transaction, with debits typically reducing a bank balance and credits increasing it.
What is the difference between a "debit" and a "debit card"?
A "debit" refers to the withdrawal itself, or the record of money taken out of an account, while a "debit card" is the physical or digital card used to make purchases that are debited directly from a linked bank account. The card is the tool; the debit is the resulting transaction.
Can "debit" be used as a verb?
Yes, "debit" can be used as a verb meaning to take money out of an account or to record it as owed, as in "the bank will debit your account." This verb use directly parallels its noun sense describing the withdrawal itself.
