Indebted
/ɪnˈdɛtɪd/
Definitions
2 meaningsOwing money, service, or gratitude to someone.
/ɪnˈdɛtɪd/
Owing money or gratitude
The country is heavily indebted to international lenders.
💡 Simply: Being like, 'I owe you one!' either because you literally borrowed money, or because someone did something super nice for you.
👶 For kids: When you owe someone something, like money or a thank you.
More Examples
I am indebted to her for her kindness and support.
He felt indebted to his friend after he helped him move.
How It's Used
"The company is heavily indebted to several banks."
"I feel indebted to my parents for all their support."
To cause someone to have a debt; to place in debt.
/ɪnˈdɛtɪd/
To put someone into debt
The high interest rates indebted the nation.
💡 Simply: To put someone in debt. This is rarely used in modern English.
👶 For kids: To make someone owe money.
More Examples
The wars deeply indebted the country.
How It's Used
"The economic policies of the time greatly indebted the kingdom."
Idioms & expressions
indebted to someone for something
Feeling grateful or obliged to someone because of something they have done for you.
"I am indebted to my teacher for all the help she gave me."
From Middle English *indetted*, from *indete*, past participle of *indeten* 'to be in debt', from Old French *endeter* (modern French *endetter*), from *de* 'from' (Latin *de*) + *dette* 'debt' (Latin *debita*).
The term has a long history, reflecting economic and social obligations across different eras.
Memory tip
Think of a ledger with entries showing you *in debt*.
Word Origin
"to owe"