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debt

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noun British English pronunciation: debt /det/ 
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singulardebt
pluraldebts
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [countable] an amount of money that you owe

    By this time we had debts of over £15,000.

    run up a debt (=let it increase):

    She had run up debts of nearly £10,000.

    pay (off)/repay a debt:

    Many people experience difficulty in paying off their debts.

    clear/settle a debt (=pay all of it):

    She agreed to settle her sister's debts.

    cancel/write off a debt (=decide that it does not have to be paid):

    The bank finally agreed to cancel the debt.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of debt
    1. a.
      [uncountable] a situation in which you owe money to other people
      be in debt (to someone):

      I don't like being in debt to anyone.

      go/get/run into debt:

      She was terrified of getting into debt.

      heavily/deeply in debt:

      Many students are heavily in debt.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of debt
  2. 2
    [singular] an obligation to be grateful to someone because they have done something for you
    owe a debt of gratitude to someone:

    I owe a debt of gratitude to my father, who has always supported me.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of debt

This is the British English definition of debt. View American English definition of debt.

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