Verb > Owe
1 : to need to pay or repay money to a person, bank, business, etc.
(+ object)
I still owe money on the car. (=I have not yet paid back all the money I borrowed to buy the car)
We owe no income tax.
He owes me $5.
(no object)
I still owe on the car.
2 (+ object)
a : to need to do or give something to someone who has done something for you or given something to you
I owe you a drink/favor.
I owe you my thanks.
(informal) What do you mean you won’t help? You owe me!
b : used to say that something should be done for or given to someone
You owe me an explanation.
I owe you an apology.
The senator is owed a degree of respect. (=the senator deserves some respect)
3 (+ object) : used to indicate the person or thing that made something possible
She owes her family for her success. (=her family enabled her to become successful)
– often + to
I owe my success to my teachers. (=my teachers deserve credit for my success)
She owes her success to hard work. (=she has succeeded because of hard work)
He owes his wealth to his father.
owe a debt of gratitude/thanks to someone