- to pay back (money) to (a person); refund or reimburse
- to make a return for (something) by way of compensation: to repay kindness
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
re•pay /rɪˈpeɪ/USA pronunciation
v., -paid, -pay•ing.
re•pay•ment, n. [uncountable]a repayment for all your help.[countable]monthly repayments.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to pay back or refund, such as money owed: [~ + object]Repay the five dollars you owe him.[~ + object + object]Repay him his money.
- to make return for or to in any way:[~ + object]to repay a compliment with a smile.
re•pay•ment, n. [uncountable]a repayment for all your help.[countable]monthly repayments.
re•pay
(ri pā′),USA pronunciation v., -paid, -pay•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
re•pay′a•ble, adj.
re•pay′a•bil′i•ty, n.
re•pay′ment, n.
v.t.
- to pay back or refund, as money.
- to make return for:She repaid the compliment with a smile.
- to make return to in any way:We can never repay you for your help.
- to return:to repay a visit.
v.i.
- to make repayment or return.
- Middle French repaier. See re-, pay1
- 1520–30
re•pay′a•bil′i•ty, n.
re•pay′ment, n.
- 1. reimburse, indemnify. 3. requite, reward.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
repay /rɪˈpeɪ/ vb ( -pays, -paying, -paid)
'repaid' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
gilt-edged
- pawnbroker
- dribs and drabs
- Eurobond
- floor planning
- free lunch
- kind
- lend-lease
- repay
- turn
- unrepaid
- unrequited
- unthankful
- well-repaid
- specie