adjective

indebted

in-DET-id/ɪnˈdetɪd/

Owing repayment to someone for what has been received.

The rescued man feels deeply indebted to the person who saved his life.

Indebted through a life-saving favor: a compact two-scene sequence shows a man rescued from the water, then expressing profound gratitude to his rescuer.

Etymology

inLatinin, into

+debtLatinthing owed

+edEnglishin the resulting state

Being indebted originally meant being put into debt and owing money. That financial obligation extended to favors and services, where what one owes is gratitude rather than payment.

In context

Jimmy Maio0:08

As South Korean households are among the most indebted in the world, their debt is even greater than the entire country's economic output.

Why Every Korean Is Drowning in Debt

More examples

Many graduates remain heavily indebted for years.
Even after this payment, we are still indebted to several lenders.
I am deeply indebted to my neighbors for their help.

Forms

indebtedness noun — The state of owing money or gratitude.

Similar words

obligated: Emphasizes a duty to act, not necessarily money owed.
beholden: Usually describes personal obligation for help rather than financial debt.