pay

[ pey ]

/ peɪ /

verb (used with object), paid or ( Obsolete except for def 12 ) payed, pay·ing.

to 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; undergo: You'll pay the penalty for your stubbornness!

Nautical. to let (a ship) fall off to leeward.

verb (used without object), paid, pay·ing.

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: The murderer paid with his life.

noun

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: in the pay of the enemy.

reward or punishment; requital.

a rock stratum from which petroleum is obtained.

adjective

requiring subscribed or monthly payment for use or service: pay television.

operable or accessible on deposit of a coin or coins: a pay toilet.

of or relating to payment.

Verb Phrases past and past participle paid or ( Obsolete except for def 30c ) payed, present participle pay·ing.

pay down,

to pay (part of the total price) at the time of purchase, with the promise to pay the balance in installments: On this plan you pay only ten percent down.
to pay off or back; amortize: The company's debt is being paid down rapidly.

pay for, to suffer or be punished for: to pay for one's sins.

pay off,

to pay (someone) everything that is due that person, especially to do so and discharge from one's employ.
to pay (a debt) in full.
Informal. to bribe.
to retaliate upon or punish.
Nautical. to fall off to leeward.
to result in success or failure: The risk paid off handsomely.

pay out,

to distribute (money, wages, etc.); disburse.
to get revenge upon for an injury; punish.
to let out (a rope) by slackening.

pay up,

to pay fully.
to pay on demand: The gangsters used threats of violence to force the shopkeepers to pay up.

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Idioms for 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 back,

to repay or return: to pay back a loan.
to retaliate against or punish: She paid us back by refusing the invitation.
to requite.

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

1150–1200; Middle English payen < Old French paier < Medieval Latin pācāre to satisfy, settle (a debt), Latin: to pacify (by force of arms). See peace

SYNONYMS FOR pay

1 discharge, liquidate.

3 reward, reimburse, indemnify.

19 remuneration, emolument, fee, honorarium, income, allowance. Pay, wage or wages, salary, stipend are terms for amounts of money or equivalent benefits, usually given at a regular rate or at regular intervals, in return for services. Pay is the general term: His pay went up every year. Wage usually designates the pay given at an hourly, daily, or weekly rate, often for manual or semiskilled work; wages usually means the cumulative amount paid at regular intervals for such work: an hourly wage; weekly wages. Salary designates a fixed, periodic payment for regular work or services, usually computed on a monthly or yearly basis: an annual salary paid in twelve equal monthly installments. Stipend designates a periodic payment, either as a professional salary or, more commonly, as a salary in return for special services or as a grant in support of creative or scholarly work: an annual stipend for work as a consultant; a stipend to cover living expenses.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR pay ON THESAURUS.COM

Words nearby pay

paxil, paxman, paxos, paxton, paxwax, pay, pay a call, pay a compliment, pay a visit, pay as you go, pay attention

Definition for pay (2 of 2)

pay²

[ pey ]

/ peɪ /

verb (used with object), payed, pay·ing. Nautical.

to coat or cover (seams, a ship's bottom, etc.) with pitch, tar, or the like.

Origin of pay

1620–30; < Middle French peier, Old French < Latin picāre to smear with pitch, derivative of pix (stem pic-) pitch²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for pay

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|DAILY BEAST
The 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|DAILY BEAST
One 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|DAILY BEAST
That 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|DAILY BEAST

Instead of just cutting out whole food groups, Bacon says people should pay attention to how food makes them feel.
Why Your New Year’s Diet Will Fail|Carrie Arnold|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I again refused, and we stood higgling, until we agreed that I should pay him six, and one by way of a dress for himself.
The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan|James Morier
I agree with my friend that we will pay a visit to Mr. A. at two in the morning.
Arrows of the Chace, v. 2|John Ruskin
If a man will not pay his store bills you cannot expect him to pay his doctor.
How to Collect a Doctor Bill|Frank P. Davis
Good gracious,” I replied, “and does he pay you well for them?
The Wallypug in London|G. E. Farrow
There are moments when I no longer know what I say; you must not pay attention to it.
The Princess of Bagdad|Alexandre Dumas

British Dictionary definitions for pay (1 of 2)

pay¹

/ (peɪ) /

verb pays, paying or paid

to discharge (a debt, obligation, etc) by giving or doing somethinghe paid his creditors

(when intr, often foll by for) to give (money) to (a person) in return for goods or servicesthey pay their workers well; they pay by the hour

to give or afford (a person) a profit or benefitit 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 ofthe shares pay 15 per cent

to give or do (something equivalent) in return; pay backhe 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

noun

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 usea pay phone; a pay toilet

(modifier) rich enough in minerals to be profitably mined or workedpay gravel

Word Origin for pay

C12: from Old French payer, from Latin pācāre to appease (a creditor), from pāx peace

British Dictionary definitions for pay (2 of 2)

pay²

/ (peɪ) /

verb pays, paying or payed

(tr) nautical to caulk (the seams of a wooden vessel) with pitch or tar

Word Origin for pay

C17: from Old French peier, from Latin picāre, from pix pitch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with pay

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

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WORD OF THE DAY

pay

verb (used with object), paid or ( Obsolete except for def 12 ) payed, pay·ing.

verb (used without object), paid, pay·ing.