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.

---

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

They do not mesh well at first, in part because of problems in their personal lives—in Ryan’s case, a failing career back home because he wouldn’t join his colleagues in taking a payoff.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Bill is a genius in terms of setting something up in a previous episode so that there’s a payoff in the finale.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

These are examples of what Block describes as convex trades, which have a non-linear, upward payoff profile but have limited downside exposure to adverse moves.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

For U.S. gas exporters, the payoff has been immediate: Shares of Cheniere Energy, the country’s largest exporter, are up 45%.

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

“Yeah, and you won’t be complaining if we get a nice fat payoff, will you?”

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

Related Words

• consequence
• outcome
• payment
• reward
• settlement