Debt Meaning and Definition

Debt

Debt

Pronunciation

/dɛt/

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A sum of money borrowed by one party from another, often with interest or other financial obligations.

Examples

  • The couple took out a debt to finance their dream home.
  • Debt can have a significant impact on an individual’s credit score.

Synonyms

  • Distress
  • Obligation

Antonyms

  • Credit
  • Asset

Etymology

The word “debt” originates from the Old English word “debt”, which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word “thabtiz”, meaning “that which is due”.

Usage Notes

When using the term “debt”, it’s important to distinguish between different types, such as personal debt, government debt, and credit debt.

Cultural References

Debt has been a recurring theme in popular culture, with notable appearances in films like “The Debt” and “Debt Collectors”.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Common idioms or phrases that include the word “debt” include “in debt”, “up to my neck in debt”, and “taking on debt”.

Related Words or Phrases

Words or phrases closely related in meaning or usage to “debt” include “credit”, “borrow”, “lend”, and “owe”.

Collocations

Common word combinations with the term “debt” include “personal debt”, “national debt”, and “credit debt”.

Frequency of Use

The word “debt” is commonly used in modern language, particularly in financial and economic contexts.

Common Misspellings

Common misspellings of the word “debt” include “deete”, “deit”, and “det”.

Related Words