IOU

or I.O.U.


a written acknowledgment of a debt, especially an informal one consisting only of the letters IOU, the sum owed, and the debtor's signature.

Origin of IOU

First recorded in 1610–20; representing I owe you

British Dictionary definitions for i.o.u.

IOU

noun

a written promise or reminder to pay a debt

Word Origin for IOU

C17: representing I owe you

Cultural definitions for i.o.u.

IOU

Abbreviation for “I owe you.” An IOU is a written statement of a borrower's obligation to pay a debt.