verb

return

rih-TURN

verb

To come or go back to a place, or to give something back to its owner.

"She returned to her hometown after ten years abroad."

"He returned the borrowed book the next day."

To take an item back to a shop for a refund or exchange.

"I need to return these shoes — they don't fit."

noun

The act of coming back, or of giving something back.

"His return to the team was celebrated by fans."

"They processed the return within a week."

The profit or loss made on an investment.

"The fund promised a steady annual return of 5%."

A form submitted to the government reporting income for tax purposes.

"She filed her tax return just before the deadline."

How to Use Return

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGoing or giving something back, or (in finance) the profit made on money invested.

Common pairings

return a favour return on investment tax return point of no return

Word Forms

returned past tense, return plural, returned plural, returns plural, returns singular, return singular, returned singular, returnest singular, returnedst singular, returneth singular

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Can you complete this real example?

She _____ to her hometown after ten years abroad.

Etymology

From Old French retourner, "to turn back," from re- + tornare ("to turn").

Synonyms

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revend give back reinstate render restore revest surrender

Antonyms

take

Related Words

abandon abandonment abduct abduction take kill give catch

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