repay

American  

[ri-pey] / rɪˈpeɪ /

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.

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verb (used without object)

repaid, repaying

1. to make repayment or return.

repay British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of repay

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

Example Sentences

District judge Julie Cooper said she was not prepared to order the social media influencer to repay all of the flight costs because the use of a private jet was "not necessary or proportionate".

From BBC

This option carries risk, especially if you don’t plan to stay in your full-time job long enough to repay the loan, or if you might leave the employer for other reasons.

From MarketWatch

“Investors are exposed to the risk of yen appreciation, which may cause losses when converting back to yen to repay the borrow.”

From Barron's

Banks say such rates are necessary because of the higher risk of loan losses from riskier borrowers who may not repay.

From The Wall Street Journal

The grants do not have to be repaid.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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