Join Us On

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Spanish Central

Browse Dictionary Browse Thesaurus

Get our free apps!iPhone•iPad•Android

Word of the Day

Blog: Words at Play

Dictionary

owing

adjective

: due to be paid

Full Definition of OWING

: due to be paid <has bills owing>

See owing defined for English-language learners

See owing defined for kids

ADVERTISEMENT

First Known Use of OWING

15th century

Related to OWING

Synonyms: overdue, owed, outstanding, payable, unpaid, unsettled

Antonyms: cleared, liquidated, paid (off or up), repaid, settled

Other Economics Terms

actuary, compound interest, globalization, indemnity, portfolio, rentier, stagflation, usurer

Learn More About OWING

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "owing"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "owing"

Nglish: Translation of "owing" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "owing" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: owing toPrevious Word in the Dictionary: OWFAll Words Near: owing

ADVERTISEMENT

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up owing? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Join Us

Merriam-Webster
on Facebook

Merriam-Webster
on Twitter

Bookstore: Digital and Print

Merriam-Webster references for Mobile, Kindle, print, and more.

See All

Other Merriam-Webster Dictionaries

© Merriam-Webster, Incorporated