Definition

1. Noun:
   • The state of owing money: The condition of having a financial debt or obligation to repay money to another party.
   • A feeling of gratitude for a favor or benefit received: A sense of being morally or personally obligated to someone for their help or kindness.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The company's total indebtedness exceeded one million dollars. (The total amount of money the company owed was more than a million dollars.)
  • She felt a deep sense of indebtedness to her mentor for his guidance. (She felt very grateful and obligated to her mentor for his advice.)

Advanced Usage

• "Acknowledging one's indebtedness": Formally recognizing or expressing gratitude for help or influence received.

  • In the preface, the author acknowledged her indebtedness to the researchers who came before her. (In the introduction, the author formally thanked the earlier researchers for their foundational work.)

• "Burden of indebtedness": The weight or stress caused by having large debts.

  • The burden of indebtedness prevented the young couple from buying a house. (The stress of their large debts stopped the young couple from purchasing a home.)

Variants and Related Words

• Indebted (adj): Owing money or gratitude.

  • He was indebted to the bank for his student loan. (He owed money to the bank for his student loan.)
  • I am indebted to you for your support. (I feel very grateful to you for your support.)

• Debt (n): A sum of money that is owed or due.

  • He is struggling to pay off his debts. (He is finding it difficult to repay the money he owes.)

Synonyms

• Obligation: Something one is bound to do, whether a duty or a debt.
• Liability: A financial debt or obligation.
• Gratitude: The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation.

Related Phrases

• To be in someone's debt: To owe someone thanks or a favor.
  • After you helped me move, I am in your debt. (Because you helped me move, I owe you a favor or my thanks.)

Related Idioms

• Owe a debt of gratitude: To have a strong reason to be thankful to someone.
  • We owe a debt of gratitude to the volunteers who made this event possible. (We have a strong reason to be very thankful to the volunteers.)

Noun

1. a personal relation in which one is indebted for a service or favor
2. an obligation to pay money to another party