ENGLISH
REFERENCE

owes

v.
A2 Elementary US //ˈoʊz// UK //ˈəʊz// owes

v. to need to pay someone back for money they gave you. You can also use it when someone has helped you and you feel you should do something for them in return.

v. to be under an obligation to pay or repay something, such as money, gratitude, or service, to another. Transitive — requires a direct object and usually an indirect object indicating the recipient.


SIMPLE

He still owes me ten dollars for lunch yesterday.

CONTEXTUAL

The small business owes its success to the loyal customers who supported it during the first year.

COMPLEX

While the debtor technically owes the full amount by the end of the month, the bank may offer an extension if he can prove a temporary loss of income.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive; it often follows the pattern 'owes [someone] [something]' or 'owes [something] to [someone]'.

Pitfall

He owes to me money.He owes me money.When the recipient comes immediately after the verb, do not use 'to'.

© 2026 English Reference