pay
1to settle (a debt, obligation, etc.), as by transferring money or goods, or by doing something: Please pay your bill.
to give over (a certain amount of money) in exchange for something: He paid twenty dollars for the shirt.
to transfer money as compensation or recompense for work done or services rendered; to satisfy the claims of (a person, organization, etc.), as by giving money due: He paid me for my work.
to defray (cost or expense).
to give compensation for.
to yield a recompense or return to; be profitable to: Your training will pay you well in the future.
to yield as a return: The stock paid six percent last year.
to requite, as for good, harm, or an offense: How can I pay her for her kindness and generosity?
to give or render (attention, respects, compliments, etc.), as if due or fitting.
to make (a call, visit, etc.).
to suffer in retribution: You'll pay the penalty for your stubbornness!
Nautical. to let (a ship) fall off to leeward.
to transfer money, goods, etc., as in making a purchase or settling a debt.
to discharge a debt or obligation.
to yield a return, profit, or advantage; be worthwhile: It pays to be courteous.
to give compensation, as for damage or loss sustained.
to suffer or be punished for something; atone: The murderer paid with his life.
the act of paying or being paid; payment.
wages, salary, or a stipend.
a person with reference to solvency or reputation for meeting obligations: The bank regards him as good pay.
paid employment: One of the army officers was actually in the pay of the enemy.
reward or punishment; requital.
a rock stratum from which petroleum is obtained.
requiring subscribed or monthly payment for use or service: With pay TV, you can watch hit movies from the comfort of your own home.
operable or accessible on deposit of a coin or coins: Do you have any change for the pay toilet?
of or relating to payment.
Idioms about pay
pay as you go,
to pay for (goods, services, etc.) at the time of purchase, as opposed to buying on credit.
to spend no more than income permits; keep out of debt.
to pay income tax by regular deductions from one's salary or wages.
pay it forward, to express gratitude for kindness or good fortune by doing good for someone else:People were very helpful to us, so we want to pay it forward to other entrepreneurs just starting out.
pay one's / its way,
to pay one's portion of shared expenses.
to yield a return on one's investment sufficient to repay one's expenses: It will take time for the restaurant to begin paying its way.
Origin of pay
1synonym study For pay
Other words for pay
Other definitions for pay (2 of 2)
to coat or cover (seams, a ship's bottom, etc.) with pitch, tar, or the like.
Origin of pay
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use pay in a sentence
WoodRocket pays for everything featured on the site, either by producing it internally, or licensing it.
Inside the Greatest Porn Parody Factory: From ‘Game of Bones’ to ‘The Humper Games’ | Gabriella Paiella | November 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTDoes that mean that when the insurance company pays my doctor they also pay the same amount to me?
Up to a Point: Thanks to the Biggest Turkey, Uncle Sam | P. J. O’Rourke | November 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTToday the church is wrapped in scaffolding and metal ribbons are holding its façade in place until someone pays to repair it.
Madonna, Carla Bruni & Obama Abandoned Pledges To Rebuild L'Aquila After The Quake | Barbie Latza Nadeau | November 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA platinum plan pays 90 percent of costs; gold plans pay 80 percent; silver plans pay 70 percent; bronze pay 60 percent.
Think You’re Invincible? Here’s Why Open Enrollment Matters | DailyBurn | November 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTNobody pays anybody much mind, the atmosphere is one of sealing the deal over tea.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley | Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman | November 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Rene le Pays, a French poet, died; well known at court by his miscellanies.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellC'est asss demeur la maison; sortons un peu dehors, comme nous avons promis de faire, et racontons ce qui s'est pass par le pays.
It has got to be such an every-day thing that nobody looks surprised or pays any attention to him.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy FayHis idea of a perfect gentleman is an innocent who pays his bills without looking at them.
Friend Mac Donald | Max O'RellEvery man that goes wrong pays the penalty—and sometimes makes others pay part of it.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run | Stanley R. Matthews
British Dictionary definitions for pay (1 of 2)
/ (peɪ) /
to discharge (a debt, obligation, etc) by giving or doing something: he paid his creditors
(when intr, often foll by for) to give (money) to (a person) in return for goods or services: they pay their workers well; they pay by the hour
to give or afford (a person) a profit or benefit: it pays one to be honest
(tr) to give or bestow (a compliment, regards, attention, etc)
(tr) to make (a visit or call)
(intr often foll by for) to give compensation or make amends
(tr) to yield a return of: the shares pay 15 per cent
to give or do (something equivalent) in return; pay back: he paid for the insult with a blow
(tr; past tense and past participle paid or payed) nautical to allow (a vessel) to make leeway
Australian informal to acknowledge or accept (something) as true, just, etc
pay one's way
to contribute one's share of expenses
to remain solvent without outside help
money given in return for work or services; a salary or wage
(as modifier): a pay slip; pay claim
paid employment (esp in the phrase in the pay of)
(modifier) requiring the insertion of money or discs before or during use: a pay phone; a pay toilet
(modifier) rich enough in minerals to be profitably mined or worked: pay gravel
Origin of pay
1British Dictionary definitions for pay (2 of 2)
/ (peɪ) /
(tr) nautical to caulk (the seams of a wooden vessel) with pitch or tar
Origin of pay
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with pay
In addition to the idioms beginning with pay
- pay a call
- pay a compliment
- pay as you go
- pay attention
- pay a visit
- pay back
- pay court to
- pay dirt, hit
- pay for
- pay off
- pay one's dues
- pay one's respects
- pay one's way
- pay out
- pay the piper
- pay through the nose
- pay up
- pay your money and take your choice
also see:
- (pay the piper) call the tune
- crime does not pay
- devil to pay
- hell to pay
- lip service, pay
- rob Peter to pay Paul
- you get what you pay for
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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