Words / C1

in-DET-id/ɪnˈdetɪd/

Indebted means owing money, or owing gratitude: indebted to a lender, indebted to a colleague. Debt (already in the dictionary) is the related noun; thanks in a preface do not waive a methods hole.

Meaning

Owing money, or owing thanks (indebted to).

Examples

• “The study is indebted to the night cohort; dropping them from the n is not gratitude.”
• “Being indebted to a funder does not waive an empty n.”
• “Beholden is the gratitude twin. Obligated is the duty twin. A preface is courtesy. A cell is a count. Fill the cell; then write the thanks if they still belong on the page.”

Good to know

Owing money or gratitude. Related: debt (already in the dictionary). Thanks ≠ a filled n.

Near in meaning

beholden, obligated

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