I.O.U.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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Her contributions are a gift, not fulfillment of an I.O.U.
From Slate ● Feb. 17, 2022
He bought homes for poor families and carried in his wallet a $1,500 I.O.U. from Ralph Guldahl, to whom Sam had staked a loan when Guldahl was struggling.
From Golf Digest ● Jul. 8, 2019
Note to self: Find ad with pic of cheetah, for I.O.U. coupon.
From The New Yorker ● Oct. 8, 2012
Mr. Hayward last week said BP could pay all or part of its dividend in "scrip," effectively an I.O.U. to shareholders.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2010
Also, an I.O.U. for the new Luis Alberti record when we next go to the capital.
From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez
As of Sept. 30, the IOU stood at $233 billion, enough to pay for the renovation 98 times.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026
Essentially, you borrow from the account and create an IOU to yourself.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 14, 2026
If the players acknowledge the worth of the IOU and its holder bets it as if it were cash, it must be accepted at face value by the pot’s winner.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2025
Should a player lose beyond his ability to pay, the others may allow him time to pay off his loss—usually, time until the next game—and he may offer up an IOU.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2025
On the shore was a canoe rental operation that was closed for the season, but I left a stack of golden drachmas on the counter and a note saying IOU two canoes.
From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan
