refund

¹ American  

[ri-fuhnd, ree-fuhnd, ree-fuhnd] / rɪˈfʌnd, ˈri fʌnd, ˈri fʌnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to give back or restore (especially money); repay.

2. to make repayment to; reimburse.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to make repayment.

noun

1. an act or instance of refunding.

2. an amount refunded.

refund ² American  

[ree-fuhnd] / riˈfʌnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to fund anew.

2. Finance.

   1. to meet (a matured debt structure) by new borrowing, especially through issuance of bonds.

   2. to replace (an old issue) with a new one.

---

refund British  

verb

1. to give back (money), as when an article purchased is unsatisfactory

2. to reimburse (a person)

---

noun

1. return of money to a purchaser or the amount so returned

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• refunder
  noun
• refundment
  noun
• unrefundable
  adjective
• refundable
  adjective
• refundability
  noun
• nonrefundability
  noun
• nonrefundable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of refund¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb refunden “to export, transmit,” from Old French refonder, refunder “to reimburse” and Latin refundere “to pour back,” equivalent to re- re- + fundere “to pour”; see found ³

Origin of refund²

First recorded in 1855–60; re- + fund

Explanation

To refund is to give money back, especially when someone isn't satisfied with an item they bought or the service they got. If you complain that your restaurant food is undercooked, the manager may refund your money. When you don't actually get what you paid for, you deserve a refund, or a repayment of the money you spent. Most businesses will refund money to unhappy customers, and when you return something — like a pair of pants that doesn't fit — you'll also get a refund. The verb came before the noun, and it originally meant "to pour back," from the Latin root fundere, "to pour."

Example Sentences

In congressional testimony, the head of CBP, Brandon Lords, said about $85 billion in potential and certified refunds have been accepted by the agency’s refund portal, with about $20.6 billion paid as of May 22.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

By that date, people need to send the IRS paperwork essentially saying they’re entitled to a refund on penalties and interest if the IRS ultimately loses the case.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

“I’m voting for Matt Mahan. I didn’t ask for any refund and they shouldn’t have done it,” he posted on X on Saturday.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

Southampton had already sold tickets for Saturday's game, and their supporters will receive a full refund.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

Send in this quiz for a full refund, and go get yourself a library card instead.

From "Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer" by Kelly Jones

Related Words

• allowance
• compensation
• discount
• kickback
• payment
• rebate
• reimbursement
• repayment
• restitution