✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

pay for itself

idiom

: to save as much money over a period of time as something costs initially
windows that pay for themselves within five years by saving on heating costs

Examples of pay for itself in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Although Aurora's previous pilot program cost the city more than expected, APD says this version is structured to pay for itself. Tori Mason, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025 Graham estimates the tennis facility could host about 50 other events like concerts throughout the year to help pay for itself. Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025 With such a wide array of benefits and potential savings, an Amazon Prime membership will practically pay for itself. Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Oct. 2025 By tapping into multiple travel and entertainment categories, Wyndham is clearly aiming to position Wyndham Rewards Insider as a one-stop shop for savings—one that could theoretically pay for itself in a single booking. Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pay for itself

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pay for itself.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pay%20for%20itself. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!