ENGLISH
REFERENCE

due

n. uncountable
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈdju// UK //djˈuː// due General-service

n. something that you deserve or have earned, such as respect, money, or praise. You use this when someone finally gets what is fair for them to have.

n. that which is deserved or owed to a person by right, merit, or legal claim. Often used in the singular to refer to intangible rewards like recognition or respect.


SIMPLE

After years of hard work, she finally received her due.

CONTEXTUAL

The young scientist was modest, but his colleagues insisted he be given his due for the breakthrough.

COMPLEX

While the critics were initially harsh, the artist's later retrospective ensured that her technical mastery was finally given its proper due by the establishment.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English dewe, dew, due, from Old French deü (“due”), past participle of devoir (“to owe”), from Latin dēbēre (“to owe”), from dē- (“from”) + habeō (“to have”).

Usage

Commonly appears in the fixed expression 'to give someone their due'.

Pitfall

He got his dues for the work.He got his due for the work.When referring to deserved respect or recognition, the noun is uncountable; 'dues' usually refers specifically to membership fees.

Idioms2 entries

© 2026 English Reference