reimburse
Reimburse (verb) means to pay someone back for money they spent or a loss they suffered. Example: “The company reimbursed her for the flight after the conference was cancelled.”
How to use reimburse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo give someone their money back after they have paid for something on your behalf.
Reimburse takes the person as the object ("reimburse you"), not the expense — you reimburse a person FOR an expense, not the expense itself.
Word forms
reimbursed past tense, reimburses singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company _____ her for the flight after the conference was cancelled.
Etymology
From re- ("back") plus an old verb "imburse" meaning to put money in a purse, from Old French borser, "purse." The word literally means to put money back in someone's purse.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for reimburse
See all rhymes for reimburse →Frequently asked questions
What does “reimburse” mean?
The word “reimburse” means to pay someone back for money they spent or a loss they suffered. In plain terms, to give someone their money back after they have paid for something on your behalf.
How do you pronounce “reimburse”?
“Reimburse” is pronounced ree-ihm-BURS (/ˌɹiːɪmˈbɜː(ɹ)s/ in IPA).
How do you use “reimburse” in a sentence?
Here is “reimburse” used in a sentence: “The company reimbursed her for the flight after the conference was cancelled.”
What is another word for “reimburse”?
Words with a similar meaning to “reimburse” include compensate, guerdon, imburse, recompense and reprise.
What is the opposite of “reimburse”?
The opposite of “reimburse” — its antonyms — is default.
What part of speech is “reimburse”?
“Reimburse” is a verb.
Where does the word “reimburse” come from?
The word “reimburse” comes from Old French. From re- ("back") plus an old verb "imburse" meaning to put money in a purse, from Old French borser, "purse." The word literally means to put money back in someone's purse.