prepay
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of prepay
Explanation
When you cover the cost of something before you actually have it, you prepay. You'll have to prepay now for that new refrigerator — even though they won't deliver it for two months! You have to prepay for most things you purchase online or over the phone; your credit card is charged long before you can actually wear those new shoes or eat that takeout Thai food. Another way to prepay is to settle a bill early, before payment is due: "I'm going to prepay my rent through August." Pre- means "before," so whenever you pay beforehand, you prepay.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Netflix may prepay the loans, or reduce or terminate the unutilized portion of the commitments, without penalty, but prepaid amounts may not be reborrowed, according to the filing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025
It may be more difficult for someone with a mortgage to prepay their real-estate taxes, because their mortgage servicer may pay their local taxes and homeowners insurance through an escrow account.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 6, 2025
Goldman Sachs, for example, brought a California Community Choice prepay to market with Pacific Life Insurance as the funding recipient.
From Barron's • Oct. 20, 2025
It costs just $10 per night, a fee campers prepay at the La Jolla/Ray Miller parking area.
From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2025
This Valuable Catalogue will be forwarded to any gentleman inclosing Two Postage Stamps to prepay it.
From Notes and Queries, Number 211, November 12, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Bell, George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
