refund
rih-FUHND
Refund (verb) means to give back money that someone has paid. Example: “The airline refunded the full cost of the canceled flight.”
verb
1
To give back money that someone has paid.
"The airline refunded the full cost of the canceled flight."
"They refused to refund my ticket after the show was cancelled."
"The shop agreed to refund me because the jumper was damaged when it arrived."
noun
1
Money that is given back, usually because of a return or cancellation.
"I got a full refund for the broken headphones."
"Keep your receipt if you want to ask for a refund later."
"The refund went back onto my card within a few days."
How to use refund
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGiving money back to someone, or the money itself, usually after a purchase goes wrong or is cancelled.
Common pairings
request a refund
full refund
refund policy
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Word forms
- Plural
- refunds
- Third person singular
- refunds
- Past tense
- refunded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The airline _____ the full cost of the canceled flight.
Etymology
From Old French refunder, "to pay back," ultimately from Latin re- ("back") plus fundere ("to pour").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “refund” mean?
The word “refund” means to give back money that someone has paid. In plain terms, giving money back to someone, or the money itself, usually after a purchase goes wrong or is cancelled.
How do you pronounce “refund”?
“Refund” is pronounced rih-FUHND (/ɹɪˈfʌnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “refund” in a sentence?
Here is “refund” used in a sentence: “The airline refunded the full cost of the canceled flight.”
What part of speech is “refund”?
Depending on how it is used, “refund” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “refund” come from?
The word “refund” comes from Latin. From Old French refunder, "to pay back," ultimately from Latin re- ("back") plus fundere ("to pour").
Is “refund” a common word?
“Refund” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “refund” have?
“Refund” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to give back money that someone has paid.
What is the difference between a refund and a return?
A return is the physical act of sending purchased goods back to the seller, while a refund is the money the seller gives back to you as a result. You usually make a return in order to receive a refund, so the two often happen together but describe different steps.
What is the difference between a refund and a reimbursement?
A refund gives back money you paid directly for a product or service, typically after a return or cancellation. A reimbursement pays you back for money you spent on someone else's behalf, such as business expenses or costs incurred for another party.
Is it correct to say 'refund back'?
No, 'refund back' is redundant because a refund already means giving money back. Simply say 'refund the payment' or 'give a refund' rather than 'refund the payment back.'
What prepositions are used with the word refund?
You typically ask for a refund 'on' or 'for' a purchase, and you refund money 'to' a customer. You can also refund a person directly, as in 'the shop refunded me for the faulty item.'
