reimburse

[ree-im-burs]

verb (used with object)

reimbursed, reimbursing 

1. to make repayment to for expense or loss incurred.

   The insurance company reimbursed him for his losses in the fire.

   Synonyms: redress, recoup, indemnify, remunerate, recompense

2. to pay back; refund; repay.

reimburse

/ ˌriːɪmˈbɜːs /

verb

1. (tr) to repay or compensate (someone) for (money already spent, losses, damages, etc)

   your fare will be reimbursed after your interview

Other Word Forms

• reimbursable adjective
• reimbursement noun
• reimburser noun
• nonreimbursed adjective
• unreimbursable adjective
• unreimbursed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reimburse¹

First recorded in 1605–15; re- + obsolete imburse “to put into a purse, pay,” from Medieval Latin imbursāre, equivalent to Latin im- im- ¹ + Medieval Latin -bursāre, derivative of bursa “bag” ( purse )

Word History and Origins

Origin of reimburse¹

C17: from _re- + imburse , from Medieval Latin imbursāre to put in a moneybag, from bursa _purse

Example Sentences

“Later, after years of compounding growth, you can take money out tax-free to reimburse yourself for your healthcare expenses.”

Read more on Barron's

Officers referred her to the Victim Care and Advice Service which helped her to be reimbursed by her bank under fraud rules introduced just over a year ago.

Read more on BBC

He may also consider paying those final bills out of his own pocket and reimbursing himself from the estate account once everything is formalized.

Read more on MarketWatch

Some cards offer extensions on existing warranties on purchases, for instance, or will reimburse certain transactions if stores won’t accept a return.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If the travel is personal, the director is required to reimburse the government for the cost of a commercial flight—typically far less than the actual costs of private-jet use.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• compensate 
• indemnify 
• offset 
• pay 
• refund 
• repay 
• restore