payable
Americanadjective
-
to be paid; due.
a loan payable in 30 days.
-
capable of being or liable to be paid.
-
Law. imposing an immediate obligation on the debtor.
noun
-
an amount, bill, etc., that is to be paid.
-
payables, the accounts payable of a business.
Payables are now handled by our computer.
adjective
-
(often foll by on) to be paid
payable on the third of each month
-
that is capable of being paid
-
capable of being profitable
-
(of a debt) imposing an obligation on the debtor to pay, esp at once
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of payable
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at pay 1, -able
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.
The new dividend is payable May 15 to shareholders of record on May 1.
From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026
Their paperwork requires Fidelity to issue a check made payable to Schwab Trust Bank for the benefit of my account, which I must then deliver.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026
The fine is essentially a punishment payable to the government, because contempt of court is treated as an offence against the courts.
From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026
The dividend is payable on April 14 to shareholders of record March 24, the company said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026
A tremendous effort by kind, old Mrs. Jacobs from the accounts payable department She brings an apple pie — but wait a minute.
From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick
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.
