1
: a paper that has on it the letters IOU, a stated sum, and a signature and that is given as an acknowledgment of debt
2

Examples of IOU in a Sentence

I don't have any cash, so I'll have to give you an IOU.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The two had hit it off while working together on the set of his discovery+ series Celebrity IOU: Joyride earlier that year. Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 20 Feb. 2025 Another watershed moment for the energy industry came in the 1990s with the Energy Policy Act of 1992, in which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorized IPPs to have equal access to the IOU’s transmission grid. Greg Robinson, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 She was previously married to her former Flip or Flop co-star Tarek El Moussa and Celebrity IOU: Joyride host Ant Anstead. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024 The designer shares Brayden and Taylor with her first husband and Flip or Flop costar, Tarek El Moussa, and Hudson with her second husband, Celebrity IOU: Joyride host Ant Anstead. Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2024 Last month, the Celebrity IOU: Joyride host shared an adorable reaction to the movie poster for Zellweger’s upcoming film, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2024 She was previously married to her former Flip or Flop co-star Tarek for seven years and Celebrity IOU: Joyride host Ant Anstead for two. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2024 She was previously married to her former Flip or Flop co-star Tarek El Moussa for seven years and Celebrity IOU: Joyride host Ant Anstead for two. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 26 July 2024 The best shows to stream on Discovery+ Christina shares two kids with her first ex-husband and former Flip or Flop costar, Tarek El Moussa, and one child with her second ex-husband, Celebrity IOU: Joyride star Ant Anstead. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 17 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

from the pronunciation of I owe you

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of IOU was in 1795

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“IOU.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/IOU. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

: a paper that has on it the letters IOU, a stated sum, and a signature and that is given to acknowledge a debt
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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