Owes Meaning in English
word · lemma: owe
/ˈoʊz/
ohz
/ˈəʊz/
ohz
Definition
To need to pay someone money, or to be responsible for giving something to someone. It can also mean that something happened because of a person or thing.
Usage & Nuances
Most commonly used for money: 'owe money', 'owe me $10'. Also common in 'owe someone an apology/explanation'. In formal or written English, 'owe ... to' shows cause: 'The success owes much to teamwork.' Do not confuse it with 'own'.
Spanish: deberPortuguese (BR): deverPortuguese (PT): deverChinese (Simplified): 欠Chinese (Traditional): 欠Hindi: उधार होना - देना बाकी होनाArabic: يَدِينُ بِـ - مُستَحَقّ عليهBengali: ঋণী - দেনা আছেRussian: быть должным - задолжатьJapanese: 借りている - 恩があるVietnamese: nợ - chịu ơnKorean: 빚지다 - 신세를 지다Turkish: borçlu olmak - minnettar olmakUrdu: مقروض ہونا - احسان مند ہوناIndonesian: berutang - berterima kasih
Example Sentences
He owes me twenty dollars.
basic
She owes her teacher an apology.
basic
Our success owes a lot to your help.
basic
I think Jake still owes you for lunch.
natural
After that comment, he owes her an explanation.
natural
This whole project owes everything to good timing.
natural