noun
Common
paying
PAY-ihng
Paying (noun) means the act of giving money owed; payment. Example: “Paying the bills on time keeps your credit score healthy.”
noun
1
The act of giving money owed; payment.
"Paying the bills on time keeps your credit score healthy."
"The paying of the rent is due on the first of every month."
"Paying in cash saved the shopkeeper the trouble of a card machine."
adj
1
Bringing in income; profitable.
"It's a paying job, if not a glamorous one."
"Running a small market stall turned into a paying business for him."
"She wanted a paying hobby, so she started selling her knitted scarves."
How to use paying
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of handing over money, or (as an adjective) something that earns money.
Common pairings
a paying customer
a paying job
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Word forms
- Plural
- payings
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Can you complete this real example?
_____ the bills on time keeps your credit score healthy.
Etymology
Formed from pay + -ing.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for paying
See all rhymes for paying →Frequently asked questions
What does “paying” mean?
The word “paying” means the act of giving money owed; payment. In plain terms, the act of handing over money, or (as an adjective) something that earns money.
How do you pronounce “paying”?
“Paying” is pronounced PAY-ihng (/ˈpeɪ.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “paying” in a sentence?
Here is “paying” used in a sentence: “Paying the bills on time keeps your credit score healthy.”
What part of speech is “paying”?
Depending on how it is used, “paying” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “paying” a common word?
“Paying” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “paying” have?
“Paying” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of giving money owed; payment.
What is the difference between paying and payment?
Paying is the act or process of giving money owed: it describes doing it. Payment usually refers to the money itself or a single instance of paying, as in 'your payment was received'. So paying is the ongoing action, while a payment is the specific sum handed over or the completed transaction.
What does 'paying' mean as an adjective?
As an adjective, paying describes something that brings in money or involves payment. A paying customer is one who actually pays for a product or service, and a paying job is one that earns a worthwhile income. In this sense, paying is close in meaning to profitable or income-earning.
What does 'paying your dues' mean?
The phrase has two senses. Literally, paying your dues means handing over the fees you owe to a club or organisation. Figuratively, it means earning respect or a reward through hard work, hardship, or experience over time: putting in the effort before enjoying the benefits.
What is the opposite of paying?
In the sense of handing over money owed, the opposite of paying is receiving or being paid: one person pays while another is paid. It can also contrast with owing, withholding, or not paying at all. If paying means settling a debt, then failing to pay leaves the debt outstanding.
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