repay
ree-PAY
/riːˈpeɪ/
To pay back (a loan, debt, or money owed).
Implies fulfilling a financial obligation by returning the borrowed sum, often with interest. It can also be used figuratively for returning a favor.
The story behind the word. The word 'repay' is a combination of the prefix 're-' meaning 'back' or 'again,' and 'pay,' which comes from the Old French 'paier,' ultimately from the Latin 'pacare,' meaning 'to appease, to pacify, to satisfy.' So, to 'repay' is literally to 'pacify again' or 'satisfy back' the person to whom you owe money.
Word relationships
- pay back: More informal synonym, often used interchangeably.
- settle: To resolve a financial obligation, often implying a full and final payment.
- clear: To pay off a debt completely.
- borrow: To take money with the intention of returning it.
- lend: To give money with the expectation of its return.
- default: To fail to repay a debt.
Commonly confused with
- pay: 'Pay' is a general act of giving money; 'repay' specifically means paying back a debt.
Word family
- repayment (noun): The act of paying back money.
Collocations
- repay a loan
- repay debt
- repay in full
- repay on time
- repay a favor (figurative)
Idioms & expressions
- repay a kindness
Example sentences
- "He worked two jobs to diligently repay his student loans ahead of schedule." Discussing financial responsibility.
- "The company plans to use its quarterly profits to repay its short-term debts." A company's financial strategy.
- "I'll repay you the ten dollars I borrowed tomorrow." From a personal conversation.
Memory hook
To 'repay' is to 'pay' 're' (again) what you owe. Pay again
When not to use
Do not use 'repay' for simply giving money; it specifically means giving money back to settle a debt.
Fun facts
- The concept of repayment is a cornerstone of trust in financial systems, allowing for the flow of capital.
Explore more words
requital, restitution, compensate, reimbursement, reciprocate, avenge
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