payoff

American  

[pey-awf, -of] / ˈpeɪˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

1. the payment of a salary, debt, wager, etc.

2. the time at which such payment is made.

3. the consequence, outcome, or final sequence in a series of events, actions, or circumstances.

   The payoff was when they fired him.

   Synonyms:

   finale, upshot, climax

4. Informal. the climax of something, especially a story or joke.

5. a settlement or reckoning, as in retribution or reward.

6. Informal. a bribe.

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adjective

1. yielding results, especially rewarding or decisive results.

   The payoff play was the long pass into the end zone.

verb phrase

1. 1. to pay (someone) everything that is due that person, especially to do so and discharge from one's employ.

   2. to pay (a debt) in full.

   3. Informal. to bribe.

   4. to retaliate upon or punish; pay back.

   5. to result in success or failure.

      The risk paid off handsomely.

   6. Nautical. to fall off to leeward.

Etymology

Origin of payoff

First recorded in 1910–15; noun, adjective use of verb phrase pay off

Example Sentences

The payoff is less certain when college expenses are rising and artificial intelligence threatens to upend many professions.

From The Wall Street Journal

But those payoffs only partially cover the financial hit, and don’t cover factory downtime while suppliers seek new business and retool plants.

From The Wall Street Journal

The payoff comes later in the day as evenings become noticeably brighter, with sunset pushed forwards by an hour.

From BBC

The payoff, Mr. Lemann suggests, has been powerful: membership in a community that feels like home.

From The Wall Street Journal

That’s much higher than the usual payoff for all cash takeovers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• consequence
• outcome
• payment
• reward
• settlement