uhde
C1Neutral formal and informal
Definition
Meaning
A sum of money that is owed or due.
An obligation to pay or repay something, often money. In a broader sense, a state of owing something (e.g., a debt of gratitude).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily financial but used metaphorically. Implies an obligation that must be repaid or settled.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and pronunciation are identical. Legal and accounting contexts may have specific procedural differences, but the lexical item is the same.
Connotations
Generally carries a negative connotation of burden or obligation in both varieties.
Frequency
High and equal frequency in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[have + debt][be + in + debt][pay off + debt][owe + a debt + to + person]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in debt to someone”
- “owe a debt of gratitude”
- “debt of honour”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to corporate leverage, liabilities, and financial structuring.
Academic
Discussed in economics, history, and sociology regarding national, personal, or historical indebtedness.
Everyday
Used for personal finances, mortgages, student loans, and credit card balances.
Technical
Specific meaning in finance/accounting as a liability on a balance sheet.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The company was heavily debted after the acquisition.
American English
- He found himself debt-ridden after college.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a small debt to pay.
- She is in debt.
- The national debt is a major political issue.
- He managed to clear all his debts last year.
- Many graduates struggle with crippling student debt.
- The company took on debt to finance its expansion.
- Sovereign debt restructuring is a complex field of international finance.
- He acknowledged a profound debt of gratitude to his mentor.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The silent 'b' in 'debt' is the hidden burden you can't hear but must feel.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEBT IS A BURDEN / DEBT IS A CHAIN / DEBT IS A HOLE
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'долг' (duty/obligation) as 'debt' in non-financial contexts (e.g., 'моральный долг' is 'moral duty').
- Do not confuse with 'credit' (кредит); debt is what you owe, credit is what you can borrow.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing the 'b' (/dɛbt/).
- Incorrect preposition: 'in a debt' instead of 'in debt'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a typical collocation with 'debt'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The 'b' was inserted in the 16th century to reflect the Latin root 'debitum', but the pronunciation remained as the original French 'dette'.
A 'loan' is money borrowed, while 'debt' is the state of owing that money. A loan creates a debt.
Yes, 'indebted' is the standard adjective. Other forms like 'debted' are non-standard or rare.
Yes, metaphorically, as in 'debt of gratitude' or 'owe a debt to history'.