Owing

Owing

Adjective / Preposition (in phrase 'owing to') · /ˈəʊ.ɪŋ/

Definition

(Adjective) not yet paid; due to be paid; still owed — the amount owing on the invoice; the sum owing to the creditor. (Preposition — 'owing to') because of; as a result of; due to — the match was cancelled owing to the weather.

Origin

Present participle and adjective from owe (Old English āgan, to possess, to be obliged). Owing therefore meaning in the state of being owed — the unpaid balance, the outstanding amount. The phrase owing to being a prepositional phrase equivalent to because of or due to, functioning grammatically as a complex preposition. The phrase owing to having a slightly formal or written register — owing to the circumstances, owing to an administrative error — more formal than because of and slightly more formal than due to.