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Synonyms

refund

1 American  
[ri-fuhnd, ree-fuhnd, ree-fuhnd] / rɪˈfʌnd, ˈri fʌnd, ˈri fʌnd /

verb (used with object)

  1. to give back or restore (especially money); repay.

  2. to make repayment to; reimburse.

verb (used without object)

  1. to make repayment.

noun

  1. an act or instance of refunding.

  2. an amount refunded.

refund 2 American  
[ree-fuhnd] / riˈfʌnd /

verb (used with object)

  1. to fund anew.

  2. Finance.

    1. to meet (a matured debt structure) by new borrowing, especially through issuance of bonds.

    2. to replace (an old issue) with a new one.

refund British  

verb

  1. to give back (money), as when an article purchased is unsatisfactory

  2. to reimburse (a person)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. return of money to a purchaser or the amount so returned

"Collins 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 Word Forms

  • nonrefundability noun
  • nonrefundable adjective
  • refundability noun
  • refundable adjective
  • refunder noun
  • refundment noun
  • unrefundable adjective

Etymology

Origin of refund1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb refunden “to export, transmit,” from Old French refonder, refunder “to reimburse” and Latin refundere “to pour back,” equivalent to re- re- + fundere “to pour”; found 3

Origin of refund1

First recorded in 1855–60; re- + fund

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.

The Treasury Department will stop issuing paper checks for refunds as of Feb. 6, except in select cases.

From The Wall Street Journal

Another important factor will be what justices say about possible refunds of tariffs.

From MarketWatch

Another important factor will be what justices say about possible refunds of tariffs.

From MarketWatch

A ruling against the administration could lead to importer refunds and raise questions about trade pacts and the fiscal deficit.

From Barron's

The sellers, hoping to avoid litigation, offered to refund half of his deposit, but the buyer refused and filed a lawsuit to recover the entire $600,000.

From The Wall Street Journal

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.