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
1
Revenge for something someone has done.
"They beat us last year, so this year's win was payback."
"Beating his old rival in the final felt like payback."
2
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 notesIn plain EnglishGetting even with someone, or getting your money back on an investment.
Common pairings
payback time
payback period
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Word forms
- Plural
- paybacks
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Etymology
A noun formed from the phrasal verb "pay back."
Related words
Rhymes for payback
See all rhymes for payback →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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