return
Americanverb (used without object)
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returns,
present (3rd person singular)
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returned,
past participle, past
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returning
present participle
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to go or come back, as to a former place, position, or state: to return to public office;
to return from abroad;
to return to public office;
to return to work.
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to revert to a former owner.
The money I gave him returns to me in the event of his death.
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to revert or recur, as in thought, discourse, etc..
He returned to his story.
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to make a reply or retort.
She returned with a witty sally.
verb (used with object)
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returns,
present (3rd person singular)
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returned,
past participle, past
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returning
present participle
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to put, bring, take, give, or send back to the original place, position, etc.: to return a child to her mother;
to return a book to a shelf;
to return a child to her mother;
to return the switch to off position.
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to send or give back in reciprocation, recompense, or requital.
to return evil for good.
- Synonyms:
- exchange
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to reciprocate, repay, or react to (something sent, given, done, etc.) with something similar: to return a favor.
to return the enemy's fire;
to return a favor.
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Law.
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to give to a judge or official (a statement or a writ of actions done).
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to render (a verdict, decision, etc.).
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to reflect (light, sound, etc.).
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to yield (a profit, revenue, etc.), as in return for labor, expenditure, or investment.
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to report or announce officially.
to return a list of members.
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to elect, as to a legislative body.
The voters returned him to office by a landslide.
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Military. to put (a weapon) back into its holder.
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Cards. to respond to (a suit led) by a similar lead.
She returned diamonds.
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to turn back or in the reverse direction, as a served ball in tennis.
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Chiefly Architecture. to cause to turn or proceed in a different direction from the previous line of direction; reverse.
to return a cornice at each end of a façade.
noun
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returns
plural
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the act or fact of returning as by going or coming back or bringing, sending, or giving back.
the return of the Jews from the Diaspora;
We should appreciate your return of the book immediately.
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a recurrence.
the return of the moon each month.
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reciprocation, repayment, or requital.
profits in return for outlay.
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response or reply.
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a person or thing that is returned.
returns of mill goods.
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the gain realized on an exchange of goods.
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Often returns a yield or profit, as from labor, land, business, or investment.
He received a quick return on his money.
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Usually returns an official or unofficial report on a count of votes, candidates elected, etc..
election returns.
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Chiefly British. return ticket.
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Architecture.
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the continuation of a molding, projection, etc., in a different direction.
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a side or part that falls away from the front of any straight or flat member or area.
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a tablelike extension attached at a right angle to a desk at typing height, for holding a typewriter, computer, etc.
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a key or lever on a typewriter or other business machine that returns the carriage to the extreme right, or the typing element to the extreme left, for the beginning of a new line.
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Computers. carriage return2
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Sports.
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the act of returning a ball.
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the ball that is returned.
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Football. a runback of a kick, intercepted pass, or fumble recovery.
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Economics. yield per unit as compared to the cost per unit involved in a specific industrial process.
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Law.
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the bringing or sending back of various documents, such as a writ, summons, or subpoena, with a brief written report usually endorsed upon it, by a sheriff, to the court from which it issued.
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a certified document by a great variety of officers, as assessors, collectors, and election officers.
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the report or certificate endorsed in such documents.
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Cards. a lead that responds to a partner's lead.
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Theater. a flat or drapery parallel to the tormentor for masking the offstage area and often completing the downstage part of a set.
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returns,
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merchandise shipped back to a supplier from a retailer or distributor as unsold or unsalable.
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merchandise returned to a retailer by a consumer.
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adjective
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of or relating to a return or returning.
a return trip.
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sent, given, or done in return.
a return shot.
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done or occurring again.
a return engagement of the opera.
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noting a person or thing that is returned or returning to a place.
return cargo.
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changing in direction; doubling or returning on itself.
a return twist in a road.
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used for returning, recirculating, etc.: a return pipe.
the return road;
a return pipe.
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(of a game) played in order to provide the loser of an earlier game with the opportunity to win from the same opponent.
return match.
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adequate, necessary, or provided to enable the return of a mailed package or letter to its sender: return address;
return postage guaranteed;
return address;
return envelope.
verb
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(intr) to come back to a former place or state
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(tr) to give, take, or carry back; replace or restore
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(tr) to repay or recompense, esp with something of equivalent value
return the compliment
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(tr) to earn or yield (profit or interest) as an income from an investment or venture
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(intr) to come back or revert in thought or speech
I'll return to that later
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(intr) to recur or reappear
the symptoms have returned
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to answer or reply
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(tr) to vote into office; elect
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(tr) law (of a jury) to deliver or render (a verdict)
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(tr) to send back or reflect (light or sound)
the canyon returned my shout
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(tr) to submit (a report, etc) about (someone or something) to someone in authority
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(tr) cards to lead back (the suit led by one's partner)
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(tr) ball games to hit, throw, or play (a ball) back
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(tr) architect to turn (a part, decorative moulding, etc) away from its original direction
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(of Christians) to say grace before a meal
noun
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the act or an instance of coming back
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something that is given or sent back, esp unsatisfactory merchandise returned to the maker or supplier or a theatre ticket sent back by a purchaser for resale
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the act or an instance of putting, sending, or carrying back; replacement or restoration
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(often plural) the yield, revenue, or profit accruing from an investment, transaction, or venture
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the act or an instance of reciprocation or repayment (esp in the phrase in return for )
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a recurrence or reappearance
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an official report, esp of the financial condition of a company
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a form (a tax return ) on which a statement concerning one's taxable income is made
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the statement itself
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(often plural) a statement of the votes counted at an election or poll
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an answer or reply
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short for return ticket
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informal a second helping of food served at a table
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architect
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a part of a building that forms an angle with the façade
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any part of an architectural feature that forms an angle with the main part
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law a report by a bailiff or other officer on the outcome of a formal document such as a claim, summons, etc, issued by a court
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cards a lead of a card in the suit that one's partner has previously led
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ball games the act of playing or throwing a ball back
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by the next post back to the sender
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a conventional greeting to someone on his or her birthday
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the point at which a person's commitment is irrevocable
adjective
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of, relating to, or characterized by a return
a return visit
a return performance
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denoting a second, reciprocated occasion
a return match
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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returnsimple
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returnssimple
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have returnedperfect
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has returnedperfect
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am returningprogressive
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are returningprogressive
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is returningprogressive
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have been returningperfect progressive
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has been returningperfect progressive
Past
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returnedsimple
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had returnedperfect
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was returningprogressive
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were returningprogressive
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had been returningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of return
First recorded in 1275–1325; (verb) Middle English retornen, from Middle French retorner, returner, Old French ( see re-, turn); (noun) Middle English, from Anglo-French retorn, return, derivative of Old French retorner, returner; (adjective) derivative of the noun
Explanation
When you return, you go back somewhere after being away. If you haven't been to Disney World since your fifth birthday, it might be fun to return when you're older. There are many ways to return — you can come back to a place, state, or activity, the way you return to jogging after getting a drink, or return to a feeling of sadness after brief cheer. You also might return something to someone else: "I need to return the book she loaned me," or "He returns her smile across the crowded room." A return can be a comment, a lobbed tennis ball, or even a financial profit.
Vocabulary lists containing return
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
She had a hysterectomy in June and had her endometriosis removed but struggled mentally and physically to return to work as a teaching assistant.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026
On Día de los Muertos, it is believed that the spirits of ancestors return to visit the living.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026
The White House, the Treasury Department and the State Department didn’t return calls for comment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2026
The capsule carrying material from Phobos is not expected to return to Earth until 2031.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
Nine had tried to shield him from this mess, and Clare felt he owed the rat honesty in return.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
While further funding needs appear manageable, recurring cash calls could eventually constrain shareholder returns, she says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
"This means an incredible impact in terms of popularity, visibility and also financial returns for the club," explains Braida.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
This might be because some people don’t realize that there is a variety of annuity investment products, some of which may address their specific concerns about risk, potential returns and time commitments.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026
The new Vision returns to a lonely, disconnected world where AI companions are an increasing part of our lives, if not entirely normalized.
From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2026
When he returns, he’ll discuss what he’s seen with the family or the village, and they’ll decide whether to move the herd.
From "Facing the Lion" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton and Herman Viola
Wisconsin’s data does not distinguish ballots sent by mail from those cast in drop boxes or in person, making it impossible to definitively measure rejection rates just for ballots returned by mail.
From Salon ● Oct. 24, 2026
Jepchirchir became the Olympic women's marathon champion at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and returned to the Japanese capital to win the World Championships in September 2025.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
He returned and produced more than 100 yards receiving in each of the next two games, and then caught six passes for 80 yards in Sunday’s 18-16 defeat by the Arizona Cardinals.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
By the time Casey died in 1983, the freight world had returned to the fierce competition of the early days.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
She met eyes with her moshom, then returned her attention to Kathy.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
On 2 October, they decided to install a net spanning the width of the canal to stop her from returning.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
He experienced it after leaving the Lakers, who drafted him in 1998, and returning with the Washington Wizards in 2002.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026
Pawlikowski has said that he keeps returning to the past in his films because addressing our modern ills directly would be too daunting.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
Woltemade, who joined in a club-record deal worth up to £69m in August 2025, is now on loan to Juventus, while Wissa has struggled for consistency since returning from injury.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026
He paused briefly and saw that Doc had made a U-turn and was returning the way she’d come.
From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
