payoff

American  

[pay-awf, -of] / ˈpeɪˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

• payoffs
  plural

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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• payoffs
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of payoff

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

payoff payoffs

That said, “in our view this does not make for a particularly satisfying equity market bear case,” as AI will deliver a payoff over a longer time horizon, he said.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

With its three interconnected stories that follow queer men through nearly a century of Spanish history, “La Bola Negra” has an epic feel and emotional payoff that could carry it far.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

It later emerged Hanhn received a $265,000 payoff with ministry funds, resulting in Bakker being defrocked of his ministerial credentials and right to perform religious duties.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

Those who resist the urge to use their precious time doing anything else will be rewarded not with payoff, but indictment.

From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026

Mom told me to pay off my restitution ASAP, so I leave school right at the bell to squeeze the payoff in before my service hours.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

Energy has on average led to returns of 22.4% in the 12 months following the move, while info tech has produced payoffs of 15.4%.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 17, 2026

Investors are rewarding companies that are showing clear payoffs from their capital expenditures.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026

“The scale and pace of the current AI investment boom accompanied by expectations of large productivity payoffs bear resemblance to these precedents, highlighting potential downside risks in the near term.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

In 2008, both Lee Jae-yong and his father resigned after a former Samsung lawyer turned whistle-blower claimed knowledge of a slush fund that was being used for bribes and political payoffs.

From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026

For bettors, the least attractive race is one in which the favorites finish in the top positions, producing low payoffs for winning bets.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

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Related Words

• consequence
• outcome
• payment
• reward
• settlement

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