Skip to definition.
Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps


Verb: pay (paid)  pey
  1. Give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
    "I paid four dollars for this sandwich"; "Pay the waitress, please"
     
  2. Convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow
    "Don't pay him any mind"; "pay attention";
    - give
     
  3. Cancel or discharge a debt
    "pay up, please!";
    - pay up, ante up
     
  4. (investment) bring in
    "How much does this savings certificate pay annually?";
    - yield, bear
     
  5. Do or give something to somebody in return
    "Does she pay you for the work you are doing?";
    - pay off, make up, compensate
     
  6. Dedicate
    "pay attention to";
    - give, devote
     
  7. Be worth it
    "It pays to go through the trouble"
     
  8. Render
    "pay a visit"; "pay a call"
     
  9. Bear (a cost or penalty), in recompense for some action
    "You'll pay for this!"; "She had to pay the penalty for speaking out rashly"; "You'll pay for this opinion later"
     
  10. Make a compensation for
    "a favour that cannot be paid back"
     
  11. Discharge or settle
    "pay a debt"; "pay an obligation"
Noun: pay  pey
  1. Money that is paid regularly for doing work
    "he wasted his pay on drink";
    - wage, earnings, remuneration, salary

Derived forms: paying, pays, paid

See also: buy off, disburse, fund, pay off, redeem

Type of: abide, be, bear, bring in, brook, cerebrate, clear, cogitate, communicate, digest, earn, endure, gain, give, intercommunicate, make, pull in [informal], put up, realise [Brit], realize, regular payment, repay, requite, settle, stand, stick out, stomach, suffer, support, take in, think, tolerate

Antonym: default on

Part of: payroll, paysheet

Encyclopedia: Pay