repay
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to pay back (money) to (a person); refund or reimburse
-
to make a return for (something) by way of compensation
to repay kindness
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of repay
From the Middle French word repaier, dating back to 1520–30. See re-, pay 1
Explanation
When you give someone money that you owe them, you repay them. A bank may loan you money to buy a new car, but you'll have to repay the money, plus interest. You might repay a bank loan, or repay your brother the dollar you borrowed last week. You can also repay things other than money: "How will I ever repay your kindness and support?" Repay comes from the French repaier, with its "back" prefix re- and payer, "to pay."
Vocabulary lists containing repay
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Of the roughly 300,000 people who visit the site each year, many use the Delay Repay page, which allows users to make easier compensation claims for delayed trains under the nationwide Delay Repay scheme.
From BBC • Dec. 21, 2024
She took him back with an ultimatum: Repay what he owed her or get out.
From New York Times • Apr. 23, 2021
The ball now is in the court of commissioners Mike Repay, Kyle Allen and Jerry Tippy.
From Washington Times • Apr. 18, 2017
People are starting to wonder whether they can really help Related Links: Can Goldman Repay that U.S.
From BusinessWeek • Jan. 6, 2011
“You’re welcome. Repay me by pulling yourself together.”
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
