outstanding debts

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralfinancebusiness

   Money that is owed and has not yet been paid.

   Grammar: Always plural in this phrase; takes a plural verb: 'Outstanding debts are a problem.' The singular 'outstanding debt' is also used for a single amount.

   Patterns

   • outstanding debts of something
   • pay off outstanding debts
   • clear outstanding debts

   The company has outstanding debts of over $2 million.

   She worked two jobs to pay off her outstanding debts.

   The bank sent a reminder about the outstanding debts on the account.

2. 2nounpluralfinancebusiness

   Unpaid obligations in general, such as bills or loans.

   Grammar: Often used in business and legal contexts; can be modified by 'large', 'small', 'accumulated'.

   Patterns

   • accumulate outstanding debts
   • settle outstanding debts

   The estate was used to settle all outstanding debts.

   He listed his outstanding debts before applying for a loan.

Common combinations

pay off outstanding debts

They sold the house to pay off outstanding debts.

outstanding debts of $...

The firm has outstanding debts of $500,000.

clear outstanding debts

A bonus helped him clear his outstanding debts.

Synonyms and how they differ

arrears

Often used for overdue payments, especially regular ones like rent or child support; outstanding debts is broader.

liabilities

A formal accounting term for all amounts owed; outstanding debts specifically refers to unpaid debts.

Opposites

Word family

outstanding adjective

Not yet paid: an outstanding balance.

Commonly confused: outstanding debts or outstanding?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “outstanding debts”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words