Debt — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈdet/

Meaning & Definition of Debt

Debt (noun)

  1. something owed, obligation
  2. a state of being under obligation to pay or repay someone or something in return for something received, a state of owing
  3. the common-law action for the recovery of money held to be due

Debt (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something (as money) which is owed

    "he filed for bankruptcy when his debts exceeded his assets"

    similar: arrearage, arrears, indebtedness, liability, obligation, score
    related: bond, debit, delinquency, bankruptcy, default, embarrassment, insolvency
    near: quietus, quittance, repayment, asset

  2. a breaking of a moral or legal code

    "forgive us our debts"

    similar: breach, crime, error, lawbreaking, malefaction, misdeed, misdoing, offense, sin, transgression, trespass, violation, wrongdoing
    related: bias crime, hate crime, felony, misconduct, misdemeanor, misfeasance, fault, foible, peccadillo, break, infringement, immorality, iniquitousness, iniquity, sinfulness, vice, wickedness, corruption, debauchery, depravity, licentiousness, abuse, criminality, illegality, lawlessness, unlawfulness, descent, downfall, fall
    opposite: noncrime
    near: blamelessness, faultlessness, guiltlessness, impeccability, innocence, irreproachability, goodness, morality, righteousness, virtue, virtuousness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Debt

The most common words with a similar meaning to Debt:

arrearage, arrears, indebtedness, liability, obligation, score, breach, crime, error, lawbreaking, malefaction, misdeed, misdoing, offense, sin, transgression, trespass, violation, wrongdoing

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Debt

Words with the opposite meaning of Debt:

noncrime

Related Words for Debt

bond, debit, delinquency, bankruptcy, default, embarrassment, insolvency, bias crime, hate crime, felony, misconduct, misdemeanor, misfeasance, fault, foible, peccadillo, break, infringement, immorality, iniquitousness, iniquity, sinfulness, vice, wickedness, corruption, debauchery, depravity, licentiousness, abuse, criminality

Near Antonyms of Debt

quietus, quittance, repayment, asset, blamelessness, faultlessness, guiltlessness, impeccability, innocence, irreproachability, goodness, morality, righteousness, virtue, virtuousness

Word Forms of Debt

Derived words: debtless (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Debt

Middle English dette, debte, from Anglo-French dette something owed, from Vulgar Latin *debita, from Latin, plural of debitum debt, from neuter of debitus, past participle of debēre to owe, from de- + habēre to have give

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Debt

Words & Phrases Containing Debt

debt bondage, debt service, debt slavery, debt burden, debt load, debt of gratitude, debt-ridden, debt to society, oxygen debt

Frequently Asked Questions about Debt

What does "Debt" mean?

"Debt" means something owed, obligation. As a noun, it is defined as: something owed, obligation. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Debt"?

Other words for "Debt" include arrearage, arrears, indebtedness, liability, obligation, score, breach and crime. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Debt" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Debt"?

There are 55 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Debt". Common alternatives include arrearage, arrears, indebtedness, liability, obligation, score, breach, crime, error and lawbreaking.

What is the opposite of "Debt"?

Antonyms of "Debt" include noncrime. Near antonyms include quietus, quittance, repayment and asset.

How do you use "Debt" in a sentence?

Examples of "Debt" in a sentence: "he filed for bankruptcy when his debts exceeded his assets"; "forgive us our debts".

Is "Debt" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Debt" is a noun.

Is "Debt" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Debt" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Debt"?

"Debt" is pronounced /ˈdet/.