WordGarden.iodue
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /djˈuː/
US
- /ˈdju/
Meanings
Adjective
expected or required at a particular time
owed, payable, or required as a debt or obligation
caused by or attributable to something
More meaningsFewer meanings
proper, sufficient, or appropriate in the circumstances
Adverb
directly or exactly in a stated compass direction
Noun
what someone deserves or is entitled to receive
Beyond the definition
Something that is due is something you owe, expect, or must do by a certain time—like money, an assignment, or even a thank-you. If your library book is due back tomorrow, you need to return it. If a friend does you a favor, you might feel they are due some thanks. It can also mean "expected"—a baby due in December is expected to be born then. The word comes from an old French word meaning "what is owed."
Think of it like this: if you promised to pay someone back, that money is due. If your teacher assigned homework, the completed assignment is due on Friday. It's all about expectations and obligations. You might say, "The bill is due next week," or "He's due for a promotion."
The word "due" is a versatile term revolving around the ideas of obligation, timing, and what is rightfully deserved. Most commonly, it refers to a requirement to pay or fulfill something. "Rent is due on the first" means the landlord expects payment then. Similarly, deadlines for essays or projects are described as being due at the time they must be submitted.
Beyond deadlines, due signifies anticipation. A baby due in July is expected to be born then, and a train due at 5:00 PM is scheduled to arrive at that time. It also describes what someone rightfully deserves. You might say, "Give credit where credit is due," meaning you should acknowledge someone's hard work. You have probably also heard the phrase "with all due respect," which is used to stay polite even when you are about to disagree.
In modern English, we also frequently use "due to" to explain the cause of something, such as saying, "The game was canceled due to rain." Finally, in navigation or travel, it can mean "directly," such as "sailing due north." Whether it's about debts, schedules, causes, or directions, "due" always points toward something that is expected, required, or rightfully directed.
Examples
- 1
Payment deadline
Your payment is due on Friday.
- 2
Arrival time
The train is due at 6:30.
- 3
Scheduled meeting
I’m due to meet my manager after lunch.
- Patternbe due to do X
be expected or scheduled to do it
- 4
Expected birth
Their baby is due in August.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Deserved outcome
After all the extra work she’s done, she’s due for a promotion.
- Patternbe due for + result
be likely to get it soon because it is deserved or expected
- 6
Weather cancellation
The match was canceled due to heavy rain.
- Patterndue to + cause
because of
- 7
Cause of improvement
His improvement is due to hours of daily practice.
- Patternbe due to + cause
be caused by it
- 8
Polite disagreement
With all due respect, I think your plan is too risky.
- Phrasewith all due respect
a polite way to disagree
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- due date
- due soon
- due tomorrow
- due to arrive
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- duenounadjectiveadverb