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# debt

noun (a debt, debts; debt, uncountable)

«debt» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A debt is money that you owe to someone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/debt/#m1)
2. Debt is the state of owing money (be in debt). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/debt/#m2)
3. A debt of gratitude is a feeling that you owe someone thanks for their help. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/debt/#m3)

### In the lessons

In maths and money lessons, a debt can be shown as a negative number: if you have £5 and owe £8, you are £3 in debt. In everyday life, borrowing on a credit card or loan creates debt that must be paid back, usually with interest. Phrases: in debt, out of debt, pay off a debt, owe a debt, get into debt.

### Examples

- He paid back his debt to his sister. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/debt/#x1)
- If you borrow money, you are in debt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/debt/#x2)
- It took them years to get out of debt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/debt/#x3)
- I owe you a debt of gratitude for helping me. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/debt/#x4)
- If I have £2 and owe £5, my debt is £3. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/debt/#x5)
- Credit cards can lead people into debt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/debt/#x6)
- The company had huge debts. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/debt/#x7)
- “We will pay your debts,” they said. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/debt/#x8)

### Note

Countable (a debt, debts) and uncountable (in debt). The «b» is silent: DET. Trap: «in debt» means you owe money; a debt is like a negative amount, so paying it off brings you back to zero.

## In Jewish tradition

Money or goods owed. The Torah has laws to protect the poor who borrow, such as returning a pledge.

**Interpretation.** Jewish law forbids oppressing a debtor and requires returning a pledge. Tradition also teaches release of debts in the seventh year.

### Examples

- Be thou not of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts; (Writings PRO.22.26, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/debt/#x1)
- And he said: 'Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy sons of the rest.' (Prophets 2KI.4.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/debt/#x2)
- and hath not wronged any, but hath restored his pledge for a debt, hath taken nought by robbery, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; (Prophets EZK.18.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/debt/#x3)

### Note

Countable (a debt, debts) and uncountable (in debt). The «b» is silent: DET. Trap: «in debt» means you owe money; a debt is like a negative amount, so paying it off brings you back to zero.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «debt» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/debt/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«debt» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/debt.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «debt» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/debt/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«debt» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/debt.html) on Mova free.