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Debts Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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debts

[dษ›ts ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

financial

Debts are amounts of money that you owe to someone or something. It can be a result of borrowing money or not paying for something you have bought. Debts can be in the form of loans, credit card balances, or other financial obligations.

Synonyms

indebtedness, liabilities, obligations.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
debts

General term for money that is owed or due, can be used in both personal and business contexts.

  • She has a lot of credit card debts
  • The company is struggling with rising debts
obligations

Broader term that refers to duties or commitments, not necessarily monetary; can be used in formal or legal contexts.

  • He has several social obligations to attend this month
  • The contract outlines the obligations of both parties
liabilities

Financial term generally used in business and accounting to describe financial obligations or debts.

  • The company's liabilities far exceed its assets
  • He is assessing the liabilities on the balance sheet
indebtedness

More formal term often used to describe the state of owing money, usually in financial or economic contexts.

  • The countryโ€™s indebtedness is affecting its economic growth
  • His financial indebtedness is causing him significant stress

Examples of usage

  • I have to pay off my debts before I can start saving money.
  • She got into debt by using her credit card too much.
  • The company went bankrupt due to its large debts.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'debts'

The word 'debts' originated from the Old French word 'dete', which came from the Latin 'debitum', meaning 'something owed'. The concept of debts has been present in human societies for centuries, as people have borrowed and lent money or goods throughout history. Managing debts has always been an important aspect of personal and financial responsibility.

See also: debt, debtholder, debtor, indebted, indebtedness.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,561, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.