51Թ

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owe

[ oh ]

verb (used with object)

owed, owing.
  1. to be under obligation to pay or repay:

    to owe money to the bank; to owe the bank interest on a mortgage.

  2. to be in debt to:

    He says he doesn't owe anybody.

  3. to be indebted (to) as the cause or source of:

    to owe one's fame to good fortune.

  4. to have or bear (a feeling or attitude) toward someone or something:

    to owe gratitude to one's rescuers.

  5. Obsolete. to possess; own.


verb (used without object)

owed, owing.
  1. to be in debt:

    Neither lend nor owe. Who owes for the antipasto?

owe

/ əʊ /

verb

  1. to be under an obligation to pay (someone) to the amount of
  2. intr to be in debt

    he still owes for his house

  3. often foll by to to have as a result (of)

    he owes his success to chance

  4. to feel the need or obligation to do, give, etc

    to owe somebody thanks

    to owe it to oneself to rest

  5. to hold or maintain in the mind or heart (esp in the phrase owe a grudge )
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of owe1

before 900; Middle English owen to possess, be under obligation, have to pay; Old English to possess; cognate with Old High German eigan, Old Norse eiga. See own, ought 1
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of owe1

Old English to have (C12: to have to); related to Old Saxon ŧ, Old High German eigan
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In fact, many lawyers believe that government attorneys owe a higher duty to the public.

From

Since your husband died the month that the two provisions stopped applying, the amount Social Security may owe him retroactively is likely small, if anything.

From

And at the petrol station near the Ohio Turnpike, the pumps bear relics of the last administration, with slogans slamming Trump's predecessor: "Whoever voted for Biden owes me gas money!"

From

“Its initial dip in revenue owes more to developers and the real estate lobby hoping to overturn it in court or at the ballot box — and losing.”

From

The county is expected to owe hundreds of millions of dollars in interest on those bonds, which have to be paid off by 2051.

From

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