owe
[əʊ]
[oʊ]
You owe something to someone when you have a debt or obligation towards them.
When we use the word "owe", it usually means that someone has done something for us and now we feel responsible to do something back. This can be as simple as lending money, borrowing clothes, or helping with a task. For example, if your friend gives you $10 when you're broke, and now you have to return the favor by giving them some cash later, that's an "owe" situation.
How common is "owe"?
Word owe is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
verb
To be under an obligation to give something back to someone or to perform some action for someone.
Real examples of "owe" in context
