Definition

To be financially obligated to reimburse someone—basically, you borrowed money and the universe is keeping score. It's that awkward feeling when you realize your bank account owes money to another bank account.

Example Usage

After the company trip, I owe my colleague $50 for the shared rental car.

Source: Merriam-Webster via Free Dictionary API

Related Terms

Advanced

fully diluted shares

The total number of shares that would be outstanding if all convertible securities, options, and warrants were exercised—basically the shareholding version of inviting everyone who might show up to the party. It shows what ownership really looks like after employees exercise options and investors convert preferred shares.

💰 Finance / Accounting
Beginner

Income Statement

A financial statement showing revenue, expenses, and profit over a period—the report card executives pray nobody reads closely.

💰 Finance / Accounting
Intermediate

markup

The magical percentage retailers add to their costs to create what they optimistically call a "selling price," essentially the difference between what they paid and what they're convinced you'll pay. In tech, it's the invisible code that tells computers how to format text without making it look like a ransom note. Both definitions involve making something look more expensive or prettier than it actually is.

💰 Finance / Accounting
Beginner

repayment

The bittersweet act of returning borrowed money, transforming your fleeting financial freedom back into a monthly obligation. It's that chunk of your paycheck that vanishes before you even consider buying groceries, steadily chipping away at debt while interest laughs in the background. The universe's way of reminding you that the expensive education, car, or house you couldn't afford upfront still can't actually be afforded in installments either.

💰 Finance / Accounting
Advanced

actuary

A data wizard who calculates the probability of catastrophe and puts a price tag on it—essentially a professional pessimist armed with spreadsheets who determines insurance premiums and pension obligations.

💰 Finance / Accounting
Beginner

standards

The benchmark against which all other performance is measured—and inevitably, the thing everyone claims to uphold while quietly lowering to meet unrealistic deadlines. Also, a measure of quality that sounds impressive in investor decks.

💰 Finance / Accounting

Translate This Term

See “owe” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on XShare on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Intermediate

Leapfrogging

A tactical movement where units alternately advance while others provide covering fire, essentially hopscotching your wa...