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Definitions

IOU

NOUN
promissory note
Synonyms


I.O.U.
NOUN
debenture
Synonyms


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.

See Examples For:

Essentially, you borrow from the account and create an IOU to yourself.

From MarketWatch Jan. 14, 2026

If the IOU isn’t redeemed in good time, the players have a problem.

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

No money actually changed hands, however, as Draycote paid Trimpley with a £3bn loan note - effectively an IOU.

From BBC Dec. 9, 2024

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

Then there were my friends who were saying, “Yeah I’ll loan you money on an I.O.U., but I don’t have that much money.”

From New York Times Mar. 18, 2023

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

At his office, Tomlin talked me through part of his reading of the London I.O.U., drawing, as if unconsciously, on a scrap of paper as he did so.

From The New Yorker May 1, 2017

The boys closed at eighty cents and gave him an I.O.U. which he probably still has.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck




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