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.

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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.

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refund British  

verb

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

2. to reimburse (a person)

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noun

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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• refunder
  noun
• refundment
  noun
• unrefundable
  adjective
• refundable
  adjective
• refundability
  noun
• nonrefundability
  noun
• nonrefundable
  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”; see found ³

Origin of refund²

First recorded in 1855–60; re- + fund

Explanation

To refund is to give money back, especially when someone isn't satisfied with an item they bought or the service they got. If you complain that your restaurant food is undercooked, the manager may refund your money. When you don't actually get what you paid for, you deserve a refund, or a repayment of the money you spent. Most businesses will refund money to unhappy customers, and when you return something — like a pair of pants that doesn't fit — you'll also get a refund. The verb came before the noun, and it originally meant "to pour back," from the Latin root fundere, "to pour."

Example Sentences

In congressional testimony, the head of CBP, Brandon Lords, said about $85 billion in potential and certified refunds have been accepted by the agency’s refund portal, with about $20.6 billion paid as of May 22.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Walmart executives said last week that they had lowered the price tag on 7,200 items and planned to use the company’s tariff refund to fund further price cuts.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

People can demand a specific refund amount or can indicate they want a “protective refund” for an amount to be determined later, Collins said.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

The Democratic Republic of Congo have asked Fifa to refund the cost of 2026 World Cup tickets bought by fans who are now unable to enter the United States because of Ebola-related travel restrictions.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

I wonder if she ever wished she could get a refund for me.

From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

• allowance
• compensation
• discount
• kickback
• payment
• rebate
• reimbursement
• repayment
• restitution