Definition

Verb: - To disburse or distribute money from a fund, reserve, or source of money. - To hand over a sum of money, especially a large amount or as part of a contractual obligation.

Usage

This verb is typically used with an object (the money) and often specifies the source or purpose of the payment. It implies a deliberate, often significant, financial transaction.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The insurance company will pay out a large sum to the policyholder.
  • The trust fund pays out dividends to its investors every quarter.
  • We had to pay out a lot of money for the car repairs.

Advanced Usage

• "to pay out on a claim/policy": To provide the money due from an insurance agreement.
  • The insurer refused to pay out on the claim because the damage was not covered.
• "to pay out a rope/line": (Specialized Nautical/Technical Use) To gradually release or let out a length of rope, cable, or chain.
  • The sailor slowly paid out the anchor line.

Variants and Related Words

• Payout (n): The act of paying out money; the sum of money paid out.
  • The lottery winner received a large payout.
• Payee (n): A person to whom money is paid or is to be paid.
• Disburse (v): A more formal synonym meaning to pay out money from a fund.

Synonyms

• Disburse
• Distribute
• Expend
• Fork out (informal)

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pay off: To pay the full amount owed on a debt; to yield a positive result.
  • We finally paid off the mortgage.
• Pay up: To pay money that is owed, especially reluctantly or after a delay.
  • He was forced to pay up for the damages.

Related Idioms

• Pay through the nose: To pay an excessively high price for something.
  • We paid through the nose for those concert tickets.
• Pay your dues: To earn rights or a position through hard work or experience over time.
  • She paid her dues working long hours before becoming a manager.

Verb

1. expend, as from a fund