adj

due

dyoo

adj

Owed, or expected to arrive or happen at a particular time.

"The rent is due on the first of the month."

"Her baby is due in three weeks."

Fitting or appropriate, as in "due care" or "due respect."

"He handled the negotiation with due care."

"Give the matter due consideration before deciding."

adv

Directly, especially when giving a compass direction.

"The trail runs due north from the cabin."

noun

Something owed, deserved, or rightfully belonging to someone.

"She finally got her due after years of hard work."

"Give credit where it's due."

A regular payment required for membership in a club or organization (usually "dues").

"He hasn't paid his union dues this year."

How to Use Due

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOwed, expected, or rightly deserved — the exact sense depends on context.

Common mistake

Don't confuse "due to" (caused by) with "owing to" in formal writing — some style guides insist "due to" should only follow a form of "to be" (e.g. "The delay was due to weather"), not start a sentence.

Common pairings

due date due to due diligence in due course give someone their due

Word Forms

more due comparative, more due comparative, dues plural, Dues plural, most due superlative, most due superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The rent is _____ on the first of the month.

Etymology

From Old French deü, "owed," the past participle of devoir ("to owe") — ultimately from Latin debere, also the root of "debt" and "duty."

Rhymes for due

rue sue cue hue Que yue Vue Xue blue true flue clue

See all rhymes for due →