Indebted: meaning, definitions and examples

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indebted

 

[ɪnˈdɛtɪd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

owing gratitude or recognition to another for help or favors received

Synonyms

appreciative, grateful, thankful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
indebted

Typically used in formal settings or to emphasize a strong sense of obligation or owing someone something substantial. It often implies a longer-term sense of duty or repayment.

  • I am deeply indebted to my teacher for guiding me through my thesis.
  • The company is indebted to its loyal customers for its success.
grateful

Expresses a warm feeling of thankfulness towards someone for help or kindness received. It is commonly used in both formal and informal settings.

  • I am grateful for your support during this difficult time.
  • He was grateful for the opportunity to work on such an interesting project.
thankful

Used to express a feeling of relief and gratitude, often in specific situations. It is similar to 'grateful' but sometimes carries a connotation of being relieved or fortunate.

  • I am thankful that no one was hurt in the accident.
  • She's thankful for the friends who have stood by her.
appreciative

Used to express a general sense of recognizing the value or merit of something or someone. It is often used in everyday contexts to show acknowledgment rather than deep feeling.

  • She was very appreciative of the help her colleagues provided.
  • I am appreciative of all the hard work you've put into this project.

Examples of usage

  • I am deeply indebted to my parents for supporting me through college.
  • She felt indebted to her mentor for guiding her career.
Context #2 | Adjective

financial

owing money to someone; having an obligation to pay or repay a financial debt

Synonyms

in debt, owing a debt, owing money.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
indebted

Used to express gratitude or a sense of obligation. It can also mean having a financial or moral debt.

  • I am forever indebted to my family for their support.
  • The community is indebted to the volunteers for their hard work.
owing money

Simply states that someone has an obligation to repay money, usually in a straightforward or colloquial manner.

  • He is owing money to several credit card companies.
  • She found herself owing money to her friends and family.
in debt

Describes the state of owing money to someone, typically referring to financial obligations.

  • She is in debt because of her student loans.
  • The company is struggling because it is in debt.
owing a debt

Specifies that someone has a specific debt or obligation to repay, focusing on the responsibility to do so.

  • He is owing a debt to the bank for the mortgage.
  • She acknowledged that she was owing a debt to her mentor.

Examples of usage

  • He was heavily indebted and struggled to pay off his loans.
  • The company became increasingly indebted due to poor financial management.

Translations

Translations of the word "indebted" in other languages:

🇵🇹 endividado

🇮🇳 ऋणी

🇩🇪 verschuldet

🇮🇩 berhutang

🇺🇦 заборгований

🇵🇱 zadłużony

🇯🇵 借金がある

🇫🇷 endetté

🇪🇸 endeudado

🇹🇷 borçlu

🇰🇷 빚을 진

🇸🇦 مدين

🇨🇿 zadlužený

🇸🇰 zadĺžený

🇨🇳 负债

🇸🇮 zadolžen

🇮🇸 skuldsettur

🇰🇿 қарыз

🇬🇪 დავალიანებული

🇦🇿 borclu

🇲🇽 endeudado

Etymology

The word 'indebted' originated from the Middle English word 'endetten', which means to bring into debt. It has been in use since the 14th century. The concept of being indebted has been an integral part of human relationships and financial systems throughout history, reflecting the importance of reciprocity and obligation in society.

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

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,925 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.