repo
Repo (verb) means informal short form of "repossess" — to take back property because payments haven't been made. Example: “The bank repoed his car after he missed three payments.”
How to use repo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCasual shorthand that means either "repossess" or "repository," depending on context.
Very informal; used in everyday speech about cars/loans, or in tech slang for code repositories.
Word forms
repoed past tense, repos singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bank _____ his car after he missed three payments.
Etymology
A clipped, informal shortening — of "repossess" in the finance sense, or "repository" in the tech sense.
Frequently asked questions
What does “repo” mean?
The word “repo” means informal short form of "repossess" — to take back property because payments haven't been made. In plain terms, casual shorthand that means either "repossess" or "repository," depending on context.
How do you pronounce “repo”?
“Repo” is pronounced REH-poh (/ˈɹɛpoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “repo” in a sentence?
Here is “repo” used in a sentence: “The bank repoed his car after he missed three payments.”
What part of speech is “repo”?
Depending on how it is used, “repo” can be a verb and a noun.
How many meanings does “repo” have?
“Repo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal short form of "repossess" — to take back property because payments haven't been made.