repay

[ri-pey]

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.

Origin of repay

From the Middle French word repaier, dating back to 1520–30. See re-, pay¹

Related formsre·pay·a·ble, adjectivere·pay·a·bil·i·ty, nounre·pay·ment, nounnon·re·pay·a·ble, adjectivenon·re·pay·ing, adjectiveun·re·paid, adjectiveun·re·pay·a·ble, adjectivewell-re·paid, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for repay on Thesaurus.com

1. reimburse, indemnify. 3. requite, reward.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for repay

Contemporary Examples

She vowed to repay the money—no official word, however, on whether she ever did that.
Fergie Dives Into Prince Andrew’s Sex Scandal
Tom Sykes
January 5, 2015
There is no way I could ever repay the debt I owe him for his standing by me through the challenges of the last decade.
A Bishop’s Decision to Divorce
Gene Robinson
May 4, 2014
Chesapeake pledged to pay Access enough in fees to repay the $5 billion plus a 15 percent return on its pipelines.
How the Kings of Fracking Double-Crossed Their Way to Riches
ProPublica
March 13, 2014
The electric sports car maker is using a debt offering to repay a $465 million government loan – nine years before it is due.
Tesla Motors will repay government loan nine years early
Daniel Gross
May 15, 2013
But whatever the amount, over a couple of years it will more than repay the hour that you spent setting all this up.
Happy Tax Day. Now Stop Making Interest-Free Loans to the U.S. Government.
Megan McArdle
April 14, 2013

Historical Examples

He hailed it as a present relief, though he supposed he should have to repay it some time.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
I married you, not because I loved you, but to repay your father the wrong he had done me.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
I have forgotten to repay him the gold; it shall be sent to-morrow.
Fair Margaret
H. Rider Haggard
Be encouraged by recollecting who observes and who can repay you.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. II
Francis Augustus Cox
I cannot repay it, except by my thanks; and those only on condition that he will decline his suit.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for repay

repay

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

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.

repay

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Synonyms

Examples from the Web for repay

Contemporary Examples

She vowed to repay the money—no official word, however, on whether she ever did that.

There is no way I could ever repay the debt I owe him for his standing by me through the challenges of the last decade.

Chesapeake pledged to pay Access enough in fees to repay the $5 billion plus a 15 percent return on its pipelines.

The electric sports car maker is using a debt offering to repay a $465 million government loan – nine years before it is due.

But whatever the amount, over a couple of years it will more than repay the hour that you spent setting all this up.

Historical Examples

He hailed it as a present relief, though he supposed he should have to repay it some time.

I married you, not because I loved you, but to repay your father the wrong he had done me.

I have forgotten to repay him the gold; it shall be sent to-morrow.

Be encouraged by recollecting who observes and who can repay you.

I cannot repay it, except by my thanks; and those only on condition that he will decline his suit.

repay

Word Origin and History for repay

v.

Origin of repay