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pay
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- 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
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| 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
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| 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
]
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| 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
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| 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
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| definition 6: |
to produce as a return.
This account pays high interest.- synonyms:
- return, yield
- similar words:
- afford, earn, produce
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| 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
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| definition 8: |
to bestow upon; give.
He paid her a compliment.[verb + object + object
]
- synonyms:
- bestow, extend, give, grant
- similar words:
- offer, present, proffer
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| definition 9: |
to make (a visit or call).
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| related words: |
atone, bid, capitalize, deposit, extinguish, give, outlay, reimburse, spend, yield |
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| related words: |
suffer |
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| phrase: |
pay an arm and a leg, pay off, pay up |
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| 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
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| definition 2: |
paid employment.
He is in the pay of the government.- synonyms:
- employ, employment, hire, service
- similar words:
- job, occupation, profession
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| related words: |
allowance, income |
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| 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
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| derivations: |
payee (n.), payer (n.) |
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
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