debt free

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "debt free" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something or someone that does not owe any money or is not burdened by debt. It can be used in various contexts, such as personal finance, business, or economic discussions. Example: "After years of hard work and financial planning, I am finally debt free."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Atlas is debt free.

Harvard Business Review

It is also debt free.

The New York Times

She is now debt free and wants to show you how to become debt free, also.

Stanford University

Like Robinson, LEP was virtually debt free.

Harvard Business Review

This means undergraduates can graduate from Princeton debt free.

Princeton University

Follow her advice and you will remain debt free.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"Off-field we are bank-debt free.

BBC

When could I become debt-free?

The New York Times

High credit achievers aren't debt-free.

The New York Times

What is debt-free tuition?

The Guardian - Money

Both companies are debt-free.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial goals, use "debt free" to clearly communicate the absence of financial obligations. For example, "Our goal is to become "debt free" within five years".

Common error

Be specific about what kind of "debt free" you are referring to. For example, specify "mortgage debt free" or "credit card debt free" for clarity, rather than just "debt free", when you have other types of debt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "debt free" functions primarily as an adjective describing a person, entity, or asset that is not burdened by any outstanding financial obligations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "debt free" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the absence of debt, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adjective and conveys a positive financial status. Usage spans across news, academia, and business, showing versatility. While generally neutral in register, specifying the type of debt can improve clarity. Related terms include "without debt" and "free from liabilities". Remember, achieving a "debt free" state is often a significant financial milestone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

debt-free

Hyphenated version of the original phrase.

without debt

Replaces the adjective with a prepositional phrase.

not in debt

Simply negates the state of being in debt.

having no debt

A more descriptive way of stating the absence of debt.

out of debt

Focuses on the action of escaping debt.

clear of debt

Similar to "out of debt", emphasizing the state of being unburdened.

unencumbered by debt

Adds emphasis on the burden that debt represents.

free from liabilities

Uses a more formal and financial term for debt.

without financial obligations

Replaces "debt" with a broader term for financial duties.

solvent

Implies financial stability and the absence of overwhelming debt.

FAQs

How can I use "debt free" in a sentence?

You can use "debt free" to describe a state of not owing any money. For example, "After years of saving, they are finally "mortgage free" and also "debt free".

What are some alternatives to saying "debt free"?

Alternatives include "out of debt", "without debt", or "free from liabilities", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "debt-free" or "debt free"?

Both "debt-free" and "debt free" are acceptable, but "debt-free" is often used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., "debt-free college"), while "debt free" is used after a verb (e.g., "I am debt free").

What does it mean to have a "debt free" balance sheet?

A "debt free" balance sheet means that a company has no debt or liabilities on its balance sheet, indicating a strong financial position.