pay

1 the money paid regularly to a person for labor or services it's difficult to support two children on her pay Synonyms emolument, hire, packet [British], wage, paycheck, pay envelope, payment, salary, stipendRelated Words living wage, minimum wage, nominal wages, take-home pay; double time, overtime, time and a half; compensation, recompense, remittance, remuneration, requital, return; recoupment, redress, reparation, restitution; reimbursement, repayment; earnings, profit, takings, yield

2 something (as money) that is given or received in return for goods or services we should demand pay for all the overtime we're putting in Synonyms compensation, consideration, payment, recompense, remittance, remuneration, requitalRelated Words salary, stipend, wage(s); disbursement, expenditure, outlay; rebate, refund; indemnity, recoupment, redress, reparation, restitution; adjustment, settlement; deposit; reimbursement, repayment; prepayment; overpayment; rent, rental

1 to give (someone) the sum of money owed for goods or services received we need to pay the cashier and then we can leave Synonyms compensate, recompense, remunerate Related Words refund, reimburse, repay, requite; remit; pay off, pay up, prepay Near Antonyms stiff

2 to give what is owed for you ought to pay that bill before it's overdue Synonyms ante up, balance, clear, discharge, foot, liquidate, meet, pay off, pay up, pony up, quit, recompense, settle, spring (for), stand Antonyms repudiate

3 to hand over or use up in payment rock fans were willing to pay enormous sums to get into the concert Synonyms disburse, drop, expend, fork (over, out, or up), give, lay out, outlay, spend, shell outRelated Words lavish, rain; blow, dissipate, fritter (away), run through, squander, throw away, wasteNear Antonyms cache, hoard, lay up, save; acquire, earn, gain, garner, make, procure, realize, secure, win

4 to produce as revenue an investment paying six percent Synonyms bear, give, yield, returnRelated Words bring in, net; afford, furnish, provide, supply; pay off

5 to provide with a paying job pay someone to mow the lawn for the summer Synonyms assume, engage, fee [chiefly Scottish], hire, lay on [chiefly British], employ, place, recruit, retain, sign (up or on), take onRelated Words reemploy, reengage, rehire; apprentice, contract, job, partner, subcontract; enlist; advance, promote, upgrade; keep (on); headhunt, scoutNear Antonyms furlough, lay off, lock outAntonyms ax (or axe), can, discharge, dismiss, fire, sack