repay

[ri-pey]

verb (used with object)

repaid, repaying 

1. to pay back or refund, as money.

   Synonyms: indemnify, reimburse

2. to make return for.

   She repaid the compliment with a smile.

3. to make return to in any way.

   We can never repay you for your help.

   Synonyms: reward, requite

4. to return.

   to repay a visit.

verb (used without object)

repaid, repaying 

1. to make repayment or return.

repay

/ rɪˈpeɪ /

verb

1. to pay back (money) to (a person); refund or reimburse

2. to make a return for (something) by way of compensation

   to repay kindness

Other Word Forms

• repayable adjective
• repayability noun
• repayment noun
• nonrepayable adjective
• nonrepaying adjective
• unrepaid adjective
• unrepayable adjective
• well-repaid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of repay¹

From the Middle French word repaier, dating back to 1520–30. See re-, pay ¹

Example Sentences

When the debt couldn’t be repaid on time, it emerged that the money from the bonds was part of an epic fraud centered on cash bribes and secret fees.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Chinese banks lent Venezuela billions of dollars, to be repaid in oil, to finance housing, telecoms and other infrastructure.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In China, plans by a major property developer to postpone repaying debt weighed on the CSI 300 index.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In the filing, First Foundation sought to force the sale of the lavish abode to recoup at least some of the money that its lawyers say the actor has failed to repay.

Read more on MarketWatch

Proceeds will be used to repay debt, it said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• compensate 
• offset 
• pay back 
• refund 
• reimburse 
• restore 
• reward