plural payoffs
1
: a good result : the advantage or benefit that is gained from doing something
You'll have to work hard but there'll be a big/large payoff in the end.
We expected more of a payoff for all our hard work.
What's the payoff?
We made a lot of sacrifices with little payoff.
2
: something valuable (such as money) that you give to someone for doing something and especially for doing something illegal or dishonest : bribe
Several city officials have been accused of receiving payoffs from the company.
3
British
: money that a company gives to a worker who is being forced to leave a job
He lost his factory job but received a payoff and a pension.
Cite this Entry
“Payoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/payoff. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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