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

Graduates repay 9% of the amount earned above the threshold outlined in their plan.

From BBC

"No amount of money can repay the harm this has done to me," he says.

From BBC

Though the diary entry concedes that Mansfield was “so intelligent & inscrutable that she repays friendship,” the two women wouldn’t become friends.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Defending my world titles at home in Wales means everything to me. I want to repay the support everyone has shown me with another great performance," Price said.

From BBC

But the debt must be repaid in gold.

From Barron's

Related Words

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