What does owing mean?
“Owing” is an adjective with two common uses. In its principal financial sense, it means that something, especially money, has not yet been paid or settled: “The customer still has fifty pounds owing.” In the fixed phrase “owing to,” it means because of or attributable to something: “The delay was owing to bad weather.” The word is used in both formal and informal contexts, although “owing to” is more formal than “because of.” As a participial form of “owe,” “owing” can also describe an amount that remains due. It is especially useful in legal, financial, and business language, where its clear implication of an outstanding obligation makes it more precise than simply saying that a payment is late.
adjectiveOwed or still due, especially as a sum of money; also, in the phrase “owing to,” caused by or attributable to something.
- Still owed or due, especially money or an amount.
- Attributable to or caused by something, as in “owing to a delay.”
"The balance of the account remains owing until the end of the month."
"There is still a substantial amount owing on the loan."
"The cancellation was owing to severe weather conditions."
Owing can mean money still due, but “owing to” also means “because of,” giving one word two very different roles.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does owing come from?
“Owing” derives from the English verb “owe,” which comes from Old English āgan, meaning “to have, possess, or own.” The modern sense of being under an obligation to pay developed from the idea of possessing or being responsible for something. Related forms include “own,” “owner,” and “ownership,” which reflect the same older root.
Related word forms
How owing is actually used
When meaning still due, “owing” is commonly used before a noun, as in “the amount owing.” In the phrase “owing to,” it is a formal equivalent of “due to” and should not be confused with the participial adjective meaning unpaid.