debt
DEHT
Debt (noun) means Money that one person or organisation owes to another. Example: “It took her five years to pay off her student debt.”
noun
1
Money that one person or organisation owes to another.
"It took her five years to pay off her student debt."
"The company took on debt to fund its expansion."
"He worked two jobs to clear the debt he owed to the bank."
2
A sense of owing someone something non-financial, such as gratitude or loyalty.
"I owe him a debt of gratitude for helping me find the job."
"We owe our teacher a huge debt for believing in us when nobody else did."
"She felt a deep debt of loyalty to the family who had taken her in."
How to use debt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMoney (or sometimes a favour) that is owed and needs to be repaid.
Common mistake
The "b" is silent — say "det," not "deb-t."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
pay off debt
in debt
a debt of gratitude
national debt
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Word forms
- Plural
- debts
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It took her five years to pay off her student _____.
Etymology
From Old French dete, from Latin debitum, "what is owed." The silent "b" was added later by scholars imitating the Latin spelling — it was never pronounced in English.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “debt” mean?
The word “debt” means money that one person or organisation owes to another. In plain terms, money (or sometimes a favour) that is owed and needs to be repaid.
How do you pronounce “debt”?
“Debt” is pronounced DEHT (/ˈdɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “debt” in a sentence?
Here is “debt” used in a sentence: “It took her five years to pay off her student debt.”
What part of speech is “debt”?
“Debt” is a noun.
Where does the word “debt” come from?
The word “debt” comes from Latin. From Old French dete, from Latin debitum, "what is owed." The silent "b" was added later by scholars imitating the Latin spelling — it was never pronounced in English.
Is “debt” a common word?
“Debt” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “debt” have?
“Debt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: money that one person or organisation owes to another.
What is the difference between debt and deficit?
Debt is the total amount of money owed at a given moment — the accumulated sum you must repay. A deficit is a shortfall over a period, when spending exceeds income. Repeated deficits add to debt, but they are not the same: one is a running gap, the other a standing total.
What are the main types of debt?
Debt is often split into secured and unsecured. Secured debt is backed by an asset, like a mortgage or car loan, which the lender can claim if you default. Unsecured debt, such as credit cards or personal loans, has no collateral. People also distinguish helpful debt that builds value from costly debt that drains it.
Is debt always a bad thing?
Not necessarily. Borrowing can be sensible when it funds something that grows in value or income, such as a home, education, or a business. Debt becomes harmful when repayments outstrip what you can afford or the interest is high. The key is whether the cost is manageable and the purpose worthwhile.
What is an example of debt?
Everyday examples include a mortgage on a house, a student loan, an outstanding credit card balance, a car finance agreement, or money borrowed from a friend. For organisations, debt might mean business loans or bonds issued to investors. In each case, one party owes money that must be repaid, usually with interest.
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