outstanding debt

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountablefinance

   Money that has not yet been paid and is still owed to a person or organization.

   Grammar: Can be used with a plural verb when referring to multiple debts: 'Outstanding debts are listed.'

   Patterns

   • have outstanding debt
   • pay off outstanding debt
   • outstanding debt of $...
   • reduce outstanding debt

   The company has outstanding debt of over $2 million.

   She is struggling to pay off her outstanding debt.

   We need to clear all outstanding debts before the end of the fiscal year.

2. 2noununcountablefinance

   The total amount of money owed by a person, company, or country at a particular time.

   Grammar: Often used in financial reports and news.

   Patterns

   • outstanding debt
   • level of outstanding debt
   • outstanding debt burden

   The country's outstanding debt has reached a record high.

   Investors are worried about the company's outstanding debt.

   The bank reported a decrease in outstanding debt this quarter.

Word forms

Common combinations

pay off outstanding debt

He took a second job to pay off his outstanding debt.

outstanding debt of

The firm has outstanding debt of $5 million.

reduce outstanding debt

The government plans to reduce outstanding debt next year.

clear outstanding debt

She cleared all outstanding debts before moving abroad.

Synonyms and how they differ

arrears

Often used for overdue payments, especially regular ones like rent or child support; more specific than 'outstanding debt'.

liabilities

A broader accounting term for all amounts owed; 'outstanding debt' usually refers to loans or unpaid bills.

Opposites

Word family

outstanding adjective

In finance, means 'not yet paid'; in general use, means 'excellent'.

Commonly confused: outstanding debt or outstanding?

Practice

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