Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
     
Lookup History
pay

pay

 
 
pronunciation:
peI
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun, adjective
phrases:
pay an arm and a leg, pay off, pay up
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word History, Word Builder, Word Explorer, Grammatical Patterns
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: pays, paying, paid
definition 1: to give over money to (a person or business) in exchange for goods or services.
The company pays the employees every other week.I need money to pay the plumber.They paid an architect to draw up the plans.[verb + smby/smth + infinitive ]
 
similar words:
recompense, remunerate, repay
definition 2: to satisfy the obligation of by giving over money.
I pay the electric and gas bills at the end of the month.
synonyms:
discharge, repay, satisfy, settle
similar words:
liquidate, remit, requite, square
definition 3: to give (money or other item of value) in return for something or to satisfy a debt.
I paid fifty dollars for the painting forty years ago, and now it's worth a thousand.He finally paid me the money for the car.[verb + object + object ] When will you pay what you owe me?[verb + WH/whether/if + clause ]
definition 4: to compensate.
Don't worry; we'll pay you for your time.
synonyms:
compensate, indemnify, recompense, reimburse, remunerate
similar words:
repay, requite, reward
definition 5: to get revenge on; punish.
We paid him back for his insults.
synonyms:
fix, get, punish, requite
similar words:
chasten, chastise, repay, retaliate
definition 6: to produce as a return.
This account pays high interest.
synonyms:
return, yield
similar words:
afford, earn, produce
definition 7: to be to one's advantage; profit.
It pays you to stay alert during morning rounds with patients.[it + verb + smby + infinitive ]
synonyms:
avail, benefit, profit
similar words:
help, repay, reward
definition 8: to bestow upon; give.
He paid her a compliment.[verb + object + object ]
synonyms:
bestow, extend, give, grant
similar words:
offer, present, proffer
definition 9: to make (a visit or call).
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition 1: to make a payment for something.
I paid for the gas for our trip.People pay to see inside the cave.[verb + infinitive ]
similar words:
buy, chip in, remit, settle up, spend, treat
definition 2: to satisfy a debt or obligation.
You've had ninety days; now it's time to pay.
synonyms:
repay, settle up
similar words:
chip in, pay the piper, recompense, remit
definition 3: to be worthwhile or to one's advantage.
It pays to study hard if you want to get into a good school.[it + verb + infinitive ]
similar words:
assist, avail, help, serve
definition 4: to experience punishment, revenge, or retribution.
You'll pay if you are caught cheating.The criminal said he'd make the judge pay for sending him to prison.
synonyms:
answer, pay the piper, suffer
similar words:
atone, be sorry, make amends
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: pay an arm and a leg, pay off, pay up
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: money or something else of value that is exchanged for work; wages; salary.
The workers get their pay every two weeks.
synonyms:
compensation, emolument, paycheck, salary, wage
similar words:
baksheesh, commission, earnings, fee, gratuity, hire, honorarium, recompense, stipend, tip
definition 2: paid employment.
He is in the pay of the government.
synonyms:
employ, employment, hire, service
similar words:
job, occupation, profession
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: adjective
definition: needing payment of money to function.
There used to be a pay telephone in the hotel lobby.
similar words:
coin-operated, collect
derivations: payee (n.), payer (n.)
Word History
The word pay goes back to a Latin word that means "to keep peaceful or satisfied." By the Middle Ages, "pay" meant "satisfy someone to whom you owe money."
Word Builder: pay +
  • paycheck:
    payment of your wages in the form of a check.
  • payday:
    the day when you get paid at work.
  • pay stub:
    part of your paycheck that you keep. It shows how much you earned and deductions
Word Explorer
See
  bank, business, money, tax, work