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

The figures, which cover the period from April to June, show that a record high of more than one million households have no arrangement to repay their debt.

Read more on BBC

The government has launched a scheme to compensate former sub-postmasters and their families who were made to repay shortfalls caused by the Capture branch IT system.

Read more on BBC

A credit default swap acts as insurance for corporate debt, with the buyer receiving a payout if the company can’t repay its bonds.

Read more on Barron's

It also wants to establish a fund to cover the cost of suppliers completely writing off customer debt which can never be repaid.

Read more on BBC

Senate Federal Credit Union, which is offering a “government shutdown relief loan program” that includes a no-interest loan of up to $5,000 to be repaid in full after 90 days.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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