repay

American  

[ri-pey] / rɪˈpeɪ /

verb (used with object)

repaid, repaying

1. to pay back or refund, as money.

   Synonyms:

   indemnify , reimburse

2. to make return for.

   She repaid the compliment with a smile.

3. to make return to in any way.

   We can never repay you for your help.

   Synonyms:

   reward , requite

4. to return.

   to repay a visit.

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verb (used without object)

repaid, repaying

1. to make repayment or return.

repay British  

/ rɪˈpeɪ /

verb

1. to pay back (money) to (a person); refund or reimburse

2. to make a return for (something) by way of compensation

   to repay kindness

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Other Word Forms

• nonrepayable adjective
• nonrepaying adjective
• repayability noun
• repayable adjective
• repayment noun
• unrepaid adjective
• unrepayable adjective
• well-repaid adjective

Etymology

Origin of repay

From the Middle French word repaier, dating back to 1520–30. See re-, pay ¹

Example Sentences

When the debt couldn’t be repaid on time, it emerged that the money from the bonds was part of an epic fraud centered on cash bribes and secret fees.

From The Wall Street Journal

Chinese banks lent Venezuela billions of dollars, to be repaid in oil, to finance housing, telecoms and other infrastructure.

From The Wall Street Journal

In China, plans by a major property developer to postpone repaying debt weighed on the CSI 300 index.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the filing, First Foundation sought to force the sale of the lavish abode to recoup at least some of the money that its lawyers say the actor has failed to repay.

From MarketWatch

Proceeds will be used to repay debt, it said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• compensate
• offset
• pay back
• refund
• reimburse
• restore
• reward