payday

[pey-dey]

noun

1. the day on which wages are given, payment is made, etc.

2. Informal.,  a day or period during which a great deal of money, success, fame, etc., is won or obtained.

   Payday came when she was given a screen test by a big Hollywood studio.

payday

/ ˈpeɪˌdeɪ /

noun

1. the day on which wages or salaries are paid

Word History and Origins

Origin of payday¹

First recorded in 1520–30; pay ¹ + day

Example Sentences

“Fraud is illegal. Exploitation is illegal. And yet too many plaintiff attorneys are actively drumming up these cases in the hope of a big payday. AB 218 allowed that,” read a statement from Harrison.

From Los Angeles Times

His first paydays in the ring were scarcely better - a few dollars here, a handful of ticket sales there.

From BBC

Although Crawford has admitted retirement is not off the table, the options before him are vast - and so too are the potential paydays.

From BBC

Although watch collectors obsess over celebrity ownership, and a Camelot connection counts for a lot, the prospect of a payday was only part of the allure for Anderson.

From Los Angeles Times

"As one local government finance officer said to me, 'it's essentially payday loans for local government," he said.

From BBC