IOU
|I-O-U|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˌaɪ.oʊˈjuː/
🇬🇧
/ˌaɪ.əʊˈjuː/
debt acknowledgment
Etymology
Etymology Information
'IOU' originates from English, specifically the phrase 'I owe you,' where 'owe' meant 'to be under obligation to pay or repay.'
Historical Evolution
'I owe you' transformed into the abbreviated form 'IOU' and eventually became a common informal term for a written acknowledgment of debt.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'I owe you,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a written acknowledgment of a debt, typically informal, stating the amount owed and the debtor's signature.
He handed me an IOU for the $50 he borrowed.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41