owing

UK: ˈəʊɪŋ | US: ˈoʊɪŋ

Definition

  1. adj. 1. owed as a debt; due for payment.

  2. adj. 2. attributable to (a cause or reason).

Structure
owe <to be indebted>ing <present participle/adjective suffix>
Etymology

The word "owing" originates from the Old English verb "āgan," meaning "to possess" or "to owe." Over time, "owe" evolved to specifically denote indebtedness. The suffix "-ing" transforms the verb into an adjective, indicating a state of being (e.g., "owing money" or "owing to circumstances"). The logical progression reflects a shift from possession to obligation, capturing the modern sense of pending debt or causation.

Examples

  1. The company has significant debts owing to poor financial management.

  2. Owing to bad weather, the event was postponed.

  3. He couldn’t pay the rent owing last month.

  4. Success was largely owing to her hard work.

  5. The delay is owing to technical difficulties.