owe
Translation
to owe, to be in debt, to be indebted
Examples
I owe you ten dollars.
I owe you ten dollars.
I owe my success to my parents.
I owe my success to my parents.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) ((sth.)) to be in debt to (sb.) for (sth.) I owe you ten dollars.
((sth.)) ((to sb.)) to attribute (sth.) to (sb.) I owe my success to my parents.
Similar Words
Synonyms: be in debt, be obligated
Etymology
From Old English 'āgan' meaning 'to own, possess'. The meaning shifted from 'to have' to 'to have to give back'.
Memory Tips
Imagine saying 'Oh!' when you remember you have to pay someone back. 'Oh' sounds like 'owe'.