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noun A1 Beginner Very common

DR

DR (noun) means Abbreviation for "debit," used in accounting. Example: “The ledger listed the amount under the Dr column.”

noun
1
Abbreviation for "debit," used in accounting.
"The ledger listed the amount under the Dr column."

How to use DR

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn accounting abbreviation for a debit entry — not to be confused with the title "Dr" for doctor.

Common mistake

Don't confuse this accounting abbreviation with "Dr." meaning doctor — context (a ledger vs. a name) makes it clear.

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Test yourself on “DR” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The ledger listed the amount under the _____ column.

Etymology

Probably from Latin debere, "to owe."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “DR” mean?

The word “DR” means abbreviation for "debit," used in accounting. In plain terms, an accounting abbreviation for a debit entry — not to be confused with the title "Dr" for doctor.

How do you use “DR” in a sentence?

Here is “DR” used in a sentence: “The ledger listed the amount under the Dr column.”

What part of speech is “DR”?

“DR” is a noun.

Where does the word “DR” come from?

The word “DR” comes from Latin. Probably from Latin debere, "to owe.".

Is “DR” a common word?

“DR” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

What is the difference between DR and CR?

DR stands for debit and CR for credit — the two sides of every accounting entry. In double-entry bookkeeping, debits are recorded on the left and credits on the right, and the two must always balance. Which side increases an account depends on whether it is an asset, liability, or income.

What does DR mean in accounting?

DR is the standard abbreviation for a debit, an entry made on the left-hand side of an account. Debits increase assets and expenses and decrease liabilities, income, and capital. The abbreviation appears on ledgers, trial balances, and bank statements to mark which side an amount belongs to.

Why is debit abbreviated as DR?

The letters come from the Latin 'debitor,' meaning debtor, rather than from the English word 'debit' itself, which is why the abbreviation keeps the 'r.' Its counterpart CR comes from 'creditor.' Both shorthand forms have been used in bookkeeping for centuries and remain standard today.

Does DR mean money coming in or going out?

Not by itself — a debit is simply a left-side entry, and whether it represents money in or out depends on the account. On your own books, cash received is a debit to cash. Confusingly, a bank statement marks money leaving your account as DR, because it is written from the bank's point of view.

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