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

“While these are precisely the students who will now be protected from excessive federal loans they could not repay, further steps should be considered to facilitate their access to advanced degrees.”

From MarketWatch

Citizens Advice say that in 2025 two-thirds of the people they helped in relation to repaying loans to the DWP also needed help accessing food banks.

From BBC

He said a few days later the bank concluded his parents had been scammed and the money would be repaid, adding the process was "a struggle".

From BBC

And families can struggle to repay the debt.

From MarketWatch

"As the people of Yemen, we repay loyalty with loyalty," the Houthi leader said.

From Barron's

Related Words

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