repay
ree-PAY
Repay (verb) means to pay back money that was borrowed or owed. Example: “It will take him five years to repay the loan.”
verb
1
To pay back money that was borrowed or owed.
"It will take him five years to repay the loan."
"She repaid every penny she owed her sister."
"He promised to repay the money by the end of the month."
2
To return a favor, kindness, or wrong done to you.
"How can I ever repay you for your help?"
"She repaid his kindness by cooking dinner for his whole family."
"I hope to repay my neighbours one day for looking after our dog."
How to use repay
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo give back money owed, or to return a kindness (or a wrong) in kind.
Common pairings
repay a debt
repay a favor
repay kindness
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- repays
- Past tense
- repaid, repayed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It will take him five years to _____ the loan.
Etymology
From Old French repaiier, "to pay back," from re- plus paiier, "to pay."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for repay
See all rhymes for repay →Frequently asked questions
What does “repay” mean?
The word “repay” means to pay back money that was borrowed or owed. In plain terms, to give back money owed, or to return a kindness (or a wrong) in kind.
How do you pronounce “repay”?
“Repay” is pronounced ree-PAY (/ɹiˈpeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “repay” in a sentence?
Here is “repay” used in a sentence: “It will take him five years to repay the loan.”
What part of speech is “repay”?
“Repay” is a verb.
Where does the word “repay” come from?
The word “repay” comes from Old French. From Old French repaiier, "to pay back," from re- plus paiier, "to pay.".
Is “repay” a common word?
“Repay” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “repay” have?
“Repay” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to pay back money that was borrowed or owed.
What is the difference between repay and refund?
Repay means to pay back money that was borrowed or owed, and it can also mean to return a favour or wrong done to you. Refund specifically means to give back money that was already paid, often by a business to a customer, so a refund is one particular type of repayment tied to a purchase.
What is the difference between repay and reimburse?
Repay is a general word for paying back money owed, such as a loan, or for returning a favour or kindness. Reimburse specifically means to pay someone back for an expense they have already covered, such as a work-related cost, and is common in formal or business contexts.
Can you repay a favour, or only money?
Repay can be used for both money and non-monetary debts, since one of its senses is to return a favour, kindness, or wrong done to you. Phrases like "repay a kindness" or "repay someone's generosity" are standard uses beyond financial repayment.
