payable

American  

[pey-uh-buhl] / ˈpeɪ ə bəl /

adjective

1. to be paid; due.

   a loan payable in 30 days.

2. capable of being or liable to be paid.

3. profitable.

4. Law. imposing an immediate obligation on the debtor.

---

noun

1. an amount, bill, etc., that is to be paid.

2. payables, the accounts payable of a business.

   Payables are now handled by our computer.

payable British  

/ ˈpeɪəbəl /

adjective

1. (often foll by on) to be paid

   payable on the third of each month

2. that is capable of being paid

3. capable of being profitable

4. (of a debt) imposing an obligation on the debtor to pay, esp at once

---

Other Word Forms

• payability noun
• payableness noun
• payably adverb
• unpayable adjective
• unpayably adverb

Etymology

Origin of payable

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; pay ¹, -able

Example Sentences

Their paperwork requires Fidelity to issue a check made payable to Schwab Trust Bank for the benefit of my account, which I must then deliver.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

The fine is essentially a punishment payable to the government, because contempt of court is treated as an offence against the courts.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

The dividend is payable March 31 to stockholders of record on March 13, the company said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Paramount’s most recent offer was $30 for all of Warner Discovery plus a so-called ticking fee of 25 cents a share, payable for each quarter it hasn’t closed the deal beyond the end of 2026.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

The contract provided that all monies accruing to Malcolm X “shall be made payable by the agent to ‘Muhammad’s Mosque No. 2,’ ” but Malcolm X felt this was insufficient.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

• outstanding
• owed
• unpaid