# indebtedness

/ˌɪnˈdɛtɪdnɪs/ (US) · /ˌɪndˈɛtɪdnəs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/indebtedness
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

the state of owing money to someone or something. It is often used to talk about a country or a person's total debt.

For teachers: the state of being in debt; the total amount of money owed. Often used in financial or economic contexts to describe the aggregate liabilities of an entity.

## Examples

- The country's level of indebtedness is very high.
- Economists warned that the rapid increase in public indebtedness could lead to a financial crisis if not managed carefully.
- While the initial investment promised high returns, the resulting increase in corporate indebtedness eventually made the firm vulnerable to even minor shifts in interest rates.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.