Owed
oʊd
Definitions
2 meaningsTo be obligated to pay or repay something, typically money, to someone or something in return for goods, services, or a favor.
oʊd
To be in debt to someone or something.
I owed my brother $20 for the movie ticket.
💡 Simply: Imagine you borrowed money from your friend to buy a video game. When you have to give the money back, you 'owe' it to them. You have to pay it back!
👶 For kids: When you owe something, it means you need to give something back to someone because they helped you or gave you something.
More Examples
The bank claimed I owed them money after a late payment.
We owed a huge debt to our loyal customers.
She owed her success to her hard work and determination.
How It's Used
"The company owed a large sum to its suppliers."
"I owed her a favor for helping me with the project."
To be attributable or caused by someone or something.
oʊd
To be attributable to someone or something.
His recovery was owed to the excellent medical care he received.
💡 Simply: Think of something good happening and it's because of someone or something else. For instance, the good weather is 'owed' to a high-pressure system.
👶 For kids: Sometimes, when something happens, it's because of something else. We can say that something 'owed' to another thing.
More Examples
The building's collapse was owed to faulty construction.
The team's victory was owed to their strong teamwork.
Her popularity is owed to her friendly personality.
How It's Used
"His success was owed to his mentors' guidance."
"Much of the traffic delay was owed to the accident."
From Old English *āgan* (to own, possess), past tense of *āgan* (to own).
The past tense 'owed' appears frequently in historical texts related to financial transactions and social obligations.