Definition Definition

owe - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'owe' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Owe [ v.]
- To possess; to have, as the rightful owner; to own.
- To have or possess, as something derived or bestowed; to be obliged to ascribe (something to some source); to be indebted or obliged for; as, he owed his wealth to his father; he owed his victory to his lieutenants.
- Hence: To have or be under an obigation to restore, pay, or render (something) in return or compensation for something received; to be indebted in the sum of; as, the subject owes allegiance; the fortunate owe assistance to the unfortunate.
- To have an obligation to (some one) on account of something done or received; to be indebted to; as, to iwe the grocer for supplies, or a laborer for services.

Meaning of 'owe' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . owe [ v]
Meaning (1):
- be in debt
Example in sentence:
  • I still owe for the car;
  • She owes me $200;
  • The thesis owes much to his adviser
Meaning (2):
- be indebted to, in an abstract or intellectual sense
Example in sentence:
  • This new theory owes much to Einstein's Relativity Theory