Main Entry: ¹pay

Pronunciation: \ˈpā\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): paid \ˈpād\ also in sense 7 payed; pay·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French paier, from Latin pacare to pacify, from pac-, pax peace

Date: 13th century

transitive verb 1 a : to make due return to for services rendered or property delivered b : to engage for money : hire <you couldn't pay me to do that>
2 a : to give in return for goods or service <pay wages> b : to discharge indebtedness for : settle <pay a bill> c : to make a disposal or transfer of (money)
3 : to give or forfeit in expiation or retribution <pay the penalty>
4 a : to make compensation for b : to requite according to what is deserved <pay them back>
5 : to give, offer, or make freely or as fitting <pay attention> <pay your respects>
6 a : to return value or profit to <it pays you to stay open> b : to bring in as a return <an investment paying five percent>
7 : to slacken (as a rope) and allow to run out —used with outintransitive verb 1 : to discharge a debt or obligation
2 : to be worth the expense or effort <crime doesn't pay>
3 : to suffer the consequences of an act

— pay one's dues 1 : to earn a right or position through experience, suffering, or hard work
2also pay dues : pay vi 3

— pay one's way or pay one's own way : to pay one's share of expenses

— pay the piper : to bear the cost of something

— pay through the nose : to pay exorbitantly or dearly

synonyms pay, compensate, remunerate, satisfy, reimburse, indemnify, repay, recompense mean to give money or its equivalent in return for something. pay implies the discharge of an obligation incurred <paid their bills on time>. compensate implies a making up for services rendered or help given <an attorney well compensated for her services>. remunerate more clearly suggests paying for services rendered and may extend to payment that is generous or not contracted for <promised to remunerate the searchers handsomely>. satisfy implies paying a person what is demanded or required by law <all creditors will be satisfied in full>. reimburse implies a return of money that has been expended for another's benefit <reimbursed employees for expenses>. indemnify implies making good a loss suffered through accident, disaster, warfare <indemnified the families of the dead miners>. repay stresses paying back an equivalent in kind or amount <repay a favor with a favor>. recompense suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward <hotel guests were recompensed for their inconvenience>.