repay
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to pay back (money) to (a person); refund or reimburse
-
to make a return for (something) by way of compensation
to repay kindness
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of repay
From the Middle French word repaier, dating back to 1520–30. See re-, pay 1
Explanation
When you give someone money that you owe them, you repay them. A bank may loan you money to buy a new car, but you'll have to repay the money, plus interest. You might repay a bank loan, or repay your brother the dollar you borrowed last week. You can also repay things other than money: "How will I ever repay your kindness and support?" Repay comes from the French repaier, with its "back" prefix re- and payer, "to pay."
Vocabulary lists containing repay
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.
High inflation allows debtors to repay loans with watered-down dollars.
From Barron's • May 30, 2026
High inflation allows debtors to repay loans with watered-down dollars.
From Barron's • May 30, 2026
When she approached the charity, she had £26,000 of debt and it said this would usually take around 20 years to repay.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
That’s a huge relief, since the U.S. market otherwise would have a big debt to repay.
From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026
He’d also repay the kindly truck driver by saving their life when their gas pedal got stuck to the floor.
From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein
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.
