reimburse

[ree-im-burs]

verb (used with object), re·im·bursed, re·im·burs·ing.

to make repayment to for expense or loss incurred: The insurance company reimbursed him for his losses in the fire.

to pay back; refund; repay.

Origin of reimburse

1605–15; re- + obsolete imburse to put into a purse, pay < Medieval Latin imbursāre, equivalent to Latin im- im-¹ + Medieval Latin -bursāre, derivative of bursa purse, bag

Related formsre·im·burs·a·ble, adjectivere·im·burse·ment, nounre·im·burs·er, nounnon·re·im·bursed, adjectivenon·re·im·burse·ment, nounun·re·im·burs·a·ble, adjectiveun·re·im·bursed, adjective

Synonyms for reimburse

1. recompense, remunerate, indemnify, redress, recoup.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for unreimbursed

reimburse

verb

(tr) to repay or compensate (someone) for (money already spent, losses, damages, etc)your fare will be reimbursed after your interview

Derived Formsreimbursable, adjectivereimbursement, nounreimburser, noun

Word Origin for reimburse

C17: from re- + imburse, from Medieval Latin imbursāre to put in a moneybag, from bursa purse

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for unreimbursed

reimburse

1610s, from re- "back" + imburse "to pay, enrich," literally "put in a purse" (c.1530), from Middle French embourser, from Old French em- "in" + borser "to get money," from borse "purse," from Medieval Latin bursa (see purse (n.)). Related: Reimbursed; reimbursing.