pay
1to settle (a debt, obligation, etc.), as by transferring money or goods, or by doing something: Please pay your bill.
to give over (a certain amount of money) in exchange for something: He paid twenty dollars for the shirt.
to transfer money as compensation or recompense for work done or services rendered; to satisfy the claims of (a person, organization, etc.), as by giving money due: He paid me for my work.
to defray (cost or expense).
to give compensation for.
to yield a recompense or return to; be profitable to: Your training will pay you well in the future.
to yield as a return: The stock paid six percent last year.
to requite, as for good, harm, or an offense: How can I pay her for her kindness and generosity?
to give or render (attention, respects, compliments, etc.), as if due or fitting.
to make (a call, visit, etc.).
to suffer in retribution: You'll pay the penalty for your stubbornness!
Nautical. to let (a ship) fall off to leeward.
to transfer money, goods, etc., as in making a purchase or settling a debt.
to discharge a debt or obligation.
to yield a return, profit, or advantage; be worthwhile: It pays to be courteous.
to give compensation, as for damage or loss sustained.
to suffer or be punished for something; atone: The murderer paid with his life.
the act of paying or being paid; payment.
wages, salary, or a stipend.
a person with reference to solvency or reputation for meeting obligations: The bank regards him as good pay.
paid employment: One of the army officers was actually in the pay of the enemy.
reward or punishment; requital.
a rock stratum from which petroleum is obtained.
requiring subscribed or monthly payment for use or service: With pay TV, you can watch hit movies from the comfort of your own home.
operable or accessible on deposit of a coin or coins: Do you have any change for the pay toilet?
of or relating to payment.
Idioms about pay
pay as you go,
to pay for (goods, services, etc.) at the time of purchase, as opposed to buying on credit.
to spend no more than income permits; keep out of debt.
to pay income tax by regular deductions from one's salary or wages.
pay it forward, to express gratitude for kindness or good fortune by doing good for someone else:People were very helpful to us, so we want to pay it forward to other entrepreneurs just starting out.
pay one's / its way,
to pay one's portion of shared expenses.
to yield a return on one's investment sufficient to repay one's expenses: It will take time for the restaurant to begin paying its way.
Origin of pay
1synonym study For pay
Other words for pay
Words Nearby pay
Other definitions for pay (2 of 2)
to coat or cover (seams, a ship's bottom, etc.) with pitch, tar, or the like.
Origin of pay
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use pay in a sentence
While Perigee is pre-revenue with just one employee, she is looking to add paying customers and begin growing the company as she moves into a wider public beta.
Perigee infrastructure security solution from former NSA employee moves into public beta | Ron Miller | September 17, 2020 | TechCrunchThe move comes after the company stopped paying penalties required as part of a settlement four years ago to clean up its mines across the Appalachian coalfields.
This Billionaire Governor’s Coal Company Might Get a Big Break From His Own Regulators | by Ken Ward Jr. | September 17, 2020 | ProPublicaThe problem for Google is the businesses who don’t fit into those averages, but also have a right to certain data since they are also paying for the ad program, especially small businesses.
This decade’s most important marketing question: What data rights do advertisers possess? | Kirk Williams | September 17, 2020 | Search Engine LandGoogle itself claims in its third party policy with advertisers, that there is certain data necessary to show to the one actually paying money to Google for Ads Program usage.
This decade’s most important marketing question: What data rights do advertisers possess? | Kirk Williams | September 17, 2020 | Search Engine LandUnder Germany’s Kurzarbeit, which translates to “short-time work,” financially distressed employers can drastically reduce worker hours, and the government will pay most of their lost wages.
I was declared innocent, and they said I should pay $104,000.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile | Robert Ward | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe escort site Cowboys4Angels peddles chiseled, hot-bodied men and their smoldering model looks to women willing to pay.
Career-Minded Women Turn to Male Escorts For No-Strings Fun and (Maybe) Sex | Aurora Snow | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTOne that they cannot cash in at the bank to pay for their flats.
One Vogue Cover Doesn’t Solve Fashion’s Big Race Problem | Danielle Belton | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThat could include private financial or personal information—like the credit-card numbers you used to pay for the corrupted Wi-Fi.
How ‘Ethical’ Hotel Chain Marriott Gouges Guests in the Name of Wi-Fi Security | Kyle Chayka | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTInstead of just cutting out whole food groups, Bacon says people should pay attention to how food makes them feel.
Now, on my first day here, you pay me back for what I did then—as if it needed paying back!
Rosemary in Search of a Father | C. N. Williamson“We shall make Mr. Pickwick pay for peeping,” said Fogg, with considerable native humour, as he unfolded his papers.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2) | Charles DickensCondillac after the marquis's death had refused to pay tithes to Mother Church and has flouted and insulted the Bishop.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael SabatiniOf course, newly acquired Ferns will pay for extra attention in the way of watering until they have secured a proper roothold.
How to Know the Ferns | S. Leonard BastinIn these enlightened days no man is imprisoned for owing money, but only because he does not pay it when told to do so.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
British Dictionary definitions for pay (1 of 2)
/ (peɪ) /
to discharge (a debt, obligation, etc) by giving or doing something: he paid his creditors
(when intr, often foll by for) to give (money) to (a person) in return for goods or services: they pay their workers well; they pay by the hour
to give or afford (a person) a profit or benefit: it pays one to be honest
(tr) to give or bestow (a compliment, regards, attention, etc)
(tr) to make (a visit or call)
(intr often foll by for) to give compensation or make amends
(tr) to yield a return of: the shares pay 15 per cent
to give or do (something equivalent) in return; pay back: he paid for the insult with a blow
(tr; past tense and past participle paid or payed) nautical to allow (a vessel) to make leeway
Australian informal to acknowledge or accept (something) as true, just, etc
pay one's way
to contribute one's share of expenses
to remain solvent without outside help
money given in return for work or services; a salary or wage
(as modifier): a pay slip; pay claim
paid employment (esp in the phrase in the pay of)
(modifier) requiring the insertion of money or discs before or during use: a pay phone; a pay toilet
(modifier) rich enough in minerals to be profitably mined or worked: pay gravel
Origin of pay
1British Dictionary definitions for pay (2 of 2)
/ (peɪ) /
(tr) nautical to caulk (the seams of a wooden vessel) with pitch or tar
Origin of pay
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with pay
In addition to the idioms beginning with pay
- pay a call
- pay a compliment
- pay as you go
- pay attention
- pay a visit
- pay back
- pay court to
- pay dirt, hit
- pay for
- pay off
- pay one's dues
- pay one's respects
- pay one's way
- pay out
- pay the piper
- pay through the nose
- pay up
- pay your money and take your choice
also see:
- (pay the piper) call the tune
- crime does not pay
- devil to pay
- hell to pay
- lip service, pay
- rob Peter to pay Paul
- you get what you pay for
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse