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.

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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.

Etymology

Origin of payoff

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

Example Sentences

But behind the scenes, artificial-intelligence researchers are pushing into new approaches that could pack an even bigger payoff.

From The Wall Street Journal

Companies are expected to take risks, even with their communications strategies, Angel said, but the question remains whether or not the payoff will be worth it.

From MarketWatch

“It makes sense to overinvest in it, to overspend on it, because the payoff is enormous.”

From Barron's

“It makes sense to overinvest in it, to overspend on it, because the payoff is enormous.”

From Barron's

The scene’s dramatic payoff wasn’t originally scripted and almost didn’t happen, as the cabin set had to be redesigned so one side could be removed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• consequence
• outcome
• payment
• reward
• settlement