noun Uncommon

payback

PAY-bak

Payback (noun) means Revenge for something someone has done. Example: “Beating his old rival in the final felt like payback.”

noun

Revenge for something someone has done.

"Beating his old rival in the final felt like payback."

A financial return on an investment, or reimbursement of money spent.

"The solar panels have a payback period of about seven years."

How to use payback

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGetting even with someone, or getting your money back on an investment.

Common pairings

payback time payback period

Word forms

paybacks plural

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Beating his old rival in the final felt like _____.

Etymology

A noun formed from the phrasal verb "pay back."

Synonyms

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vengeance retribution

Related words

punishment revenge wrath vengeance retaliation retribution

Rhymes for payback

playback piggyback

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Frequently asked questions

What does “payback” mean?

The word “payback” means revenge for something someone has done. In plain terms, getting even with someone, or getting your money back on an investment.

How do you pronounce “payback”?

“Payback” is pronounced PAY-bak (/ˈpeɪbæk/ in IPA).

How do you use “payback” in a sentence?

Here is “payback” used in a sentence: “Beating his old rival in the final felt like payback.”

What part of speech is “payback”?

“Payback” is a noun.

Is “payback” a common word?

“Payback” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “payback” have?

“Payback” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: revenge for something someone has done.

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