due
due
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "due" is /djuː/.
/djuː/ (one syllable)
/d/ - voiced alveolar plosive
/j/ - voiced palatal approximant
/uː/ - close back rounded monophthong
Word Form Variations
Adjective: due, overdue
Noun: due (singular), dues (plural)
Adverb: due (though often considered an adjective modifying a verb in such cases, e.g., "due north")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Expected or appointed to arrive, happen, or be paid at a particular time.
Example: The train is due to arrive at 3 PM.
Synonyms: expected, scheduled, anticipated, forthcoming
Antonyms: late, overdue, unpunctual
Definition 2: Proper, appropriate, or suitable in a particular circumstance; deserved.
Example: Please give the matter due consideration.
Synonyms: proper, appropriate, suitable, fitting, deserved, merited
Antonyms: improper, inappropriate, unsuitable, underserved, undue
Definition 3: Directly north, south, east, or west (used in directional phrases).
Example: The ship sailed due west.
Synonyms: direct, straight
Antonyms: indirect, circuitous
Noun
Definition 1 (singular "due"): Something that rightfully belongs to someone or is owed.
Example: He finally received his due for all his hard work.
Synonyms: entitlement, right, deserts, claim
Antonyms: forfeiture, penalty, disallowance
Definition 2 (plural "dues"): A payment or fee, especially one that is regularly paid to a club or organization.
Example: She paid her monthly club dues.
Synonyms: fees, charges, contributions, subscriptions
Antonyms: refunds, reimbursements, rebate
Examples of Use
Books:
"All due respect, I'm not sure that's the best approach." (Often appears in dialogue in fiction, implying a polite disagreement even if the speaker is about to be disrespectful in some way.)
"The detective knew that a confession was due, given the overwhelming evidence." (From a mystery novel, indicating something expected or deserved.)
Newspapers:
"The new government policy is due to take effect next month, according to the Ministry of Finance." ( The Daily Nation)
"After years of dedicated service, the veteran journalist was finally given his due at the annual awards ceremony." (The Guardian)
"The airline announced that flights to Eldoret were experiencing delays due to technical issues." (Business Daily Africa)
Online Publications:
"The company's second-quarter earnings report is due for release next week, analysts predict strong growth." ( Bloomberg.com, financial news)
"Much of the recent success of the startup is due to its innovative marketing strategy." (TechCrunch.com, tech news)
"Please ensure all assignments are submitted due by Friday at 5 PM." (University Course Syllabus)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film/TV Show Dialogue: "Your payment is due today, Mr. Bond." (From a spy thriller, indicating a deadline.) "He finally got what was due to him." (From a drama, implying a deserved consequence.)
Music Lyrics: "And all the love that's due to you, I'll give it freely." (From a pop song, expressing something owed or deserved.)
Video Games: "Quest Update: The artifact is due at the ancient temple." (In-game objective, indicating a destination or requirement.) "Your account is due for maintenance." (System message, indicating a scheduled event.)
Social Media: "Excited to share some big news soon! Stay due for updates!" (Informal use, meaning "stay tuned" or "be ready for.") "Giving credit where credit is due." (Common phrase used to acknowledge someone's contribution.)
General Public Discourse:
"The baby is due in August." (Common everyday conversation about pregnancy.)
"You need to give the chef his due; that meal was incredible." (Informal conversation, acknowledging deserved credit.)
"The project is running late due to unforeseen circumstances." (Workplace or everyday conversation, explaining a delay.)
"We are due for a proper vacation after all this work." (Casual conversation, expressing a strong desire or a deserved break.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Due
"Give the devil his due." (Common proverb, origin uncertain)
"Every man gets his due sooner or later." (Attributed to various sources, common saying)
"All due respect, but I think you're mistaken." (Common polite expression, often found in dialogue)
"Credit where credit is due." (Common proverb, origin uncertain)
"A man's got to do what a man's got to do, and a woman's got to do what a woman's got to do. And that's what's due." (Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings)
"We are due a long and painful reckoning." (Attributed to various political commentators)
"To give a man his due, he never told a lie when a lie would do just as well." (Mark Twain, The American Claimant)
"Man owes his due to the past and the future." (Eleanor Roosevelt)
"The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. Give the earth its due, and it will give you yours." (Attributed to Henry David Thoreau, paraphrased)
"And for all those who strive for justice, their due will come." (Original quote, reflects common usage of "due" for deserved outcome)
Etymology
The word "due" has a long history, tracing its roots back to Latin.
Think of it this way:
Originally, in Latin, there was the word "dēbēre," which meant "to owe." This Latin word was formed from "dē-" (meaning "from" or "away from") and "habeō" (meaning "I have"). So, literally, it was about having something from someone else, implying an obligation.
This Latin word then traveled into Old French, where it became "deü," which was the past participle of the verb "devoir," meaning "to owe."
Finally, "deü" made its way into Middle English, showing up as "dewe," "dew," or "due."
The first known use and meaning of "due" as an English word, appearing around the 14th century, was in the sense of something being "owed, payable as an obligation, or owing by right of circumstance or condition." This is very close to how we understand it today when we say a bill is "due" or someone is "due" a refund.
Over time, its meaning expanded to include things that are "proper," "appropriate," or "expected" at a certain time, like "the train is due" or "with all due respect." The directional sense, like "due north," came a bit later, around the 1600s, often from a nautical background, meaning "directly" or "exactly."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Due
Due process: The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights that are owed to a person.
Due diligence: Reasonable steps taken by a person to satisfy a legal requirement, especially before entering into an agreement or a financial contract.
Give the devil his due: To give credit, even to an evil or disliked person, where it is deserved.
Credit where credit is due: Acknowledging and praising someone for their accomplishments or contributions.
Due to: Because of; as a result of.
In due course: At the appropriate or customary time; eventually.
To each his due: Everyone should receive what they deserve.
Pay one's dues: To earn one's position or success through hard work and effort, often involving difficult or unrewarding tasks.
Due north/south/east/west: Directly in that direction.
With all due respect: A polite phrase used before disagreeing with someone or criticizing them.
Due for a change: Ready or needing a change.
Due date: The date on which something is expected or required, especially the date a payment is expected or a baby is expected to be born.
Due to arrive/depart: Expected to arrive or depart at a specific time.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of due from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
