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repay

[ ri-pey ]
/ rɪˈpeɪ /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR repay ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), re·paid, re·pay·ing.

to pay back or refund, as money.
to make return for: She repaid the compliment with a smile.
to make return to in any way: We can never repay you for your help.
to return: to repay a visit.

verb (used without object), re·paid, re·pay·ing.

to make repayment or return.

RELATED WORDS

refund, restore, reimburse, compensate, offset, reward, accord, square, indemnify, remunerate, rebate, award, recompense, requite, return, balance, revenge, retaliate, reciprocate, avenge

Nearby words

  1. repass,
  2. repassage,
  3. repast,
  4. repatriate,
  5. repatriation,
  6. repayable,
  7. repayment,
  8. repeal,
  9. repeat,
  10. repeat oneself

Origin of repay

From the Middle French word repaier, dating back to 1520–30. See re-, pay1
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for repay

British Dictionary definitions for repay

repay

/ (rɪˈpeɪ) /

verb -pays, -paying or -paid

to pay back (money) to (a person); refund or reimburse
to make a return for (something) by way of compensationto repay kindness
Derived Formsrepayable, adjectiverepayment, noun
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
Word Origin and History for repay

repay

v.

mid-15c., from Old French repaier "pay back, give in return," from re- "back" (see re-) + payer "to pay" (see pay (v.)). Related: Repaid; repaying.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper