pay-out

The company issued a pay-out to its employees.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A sum of money paid out: "pay-out" refers to a disbursement of money, especially from an insurance policy, a lottery, or a business investment.
   • The act of paying out: The process or instance of distributing money as a settlement, dividend, or reward.

Usage Examples

• (A sum of money paid as compensation.)
• (A single disbursement of winnings.)
• (A dividend distribution.)

Advanced Usage

• "to make a pay-out": to disburse money.
  • The insurer will make a pay-out within 30 days of the claim. (The company will pay the settlement.)
• "a pay-out period": the time frame over which payments are made.
  • The annuity has a pay-out period of 20 years. (The duration of regular disbursements.)
• "pay-out ratio": the proportion of earnings paid out as dividends.
  • A high pay-out ratio may indicate a mature company. (The percentage of profits distributed.)

Variants and Related Words

• Payout (alternative spelling): the same as "pay-out", often written as one word.
  • The payout was delayed due to paperwork. (The disbursement was postponed.)
• Pay out (verb phrase): to disburse money.
  • The company will pay out the dividends next week. (The company will distribute the money.)
• Payee (noun): the person who receives a pay-out.
  • The payee must sign the receipt. (The recipient of the money.)

Synonyms

• Disbursement: the act of paying out money, especially from a fund.
• Settlement: a payment made to resolve a claim or debt.
• Dividend: a share of profits paid to shareholders.
• Payout (variant): same as "pay-out".

Phrasal Verbs

• Pay out: to give money, especially as a regular or required payment.
  • The government pays out pensions on the first of each month. (The government disburses pension money.)
• Pay off: to pay a debt in full.
  • He paid off the loan after five years. (He settled the debt completely.)
• Pay up: to pay money that is owed, often reluctantly.
  • The customer finally paid up after repeated reminders. (The customer settled the debt.)

Related Idioms

• Pay out the nose: to pay an excessive amount of money.
  • We had to pay out the nose for last-minute tickets. (We paid a very high price.)
• Pay dirt: a source of profit or valuable information.
  • The investor struck pay dirt with that startup. (The investor found a profitable opportunity.)
• Pay one's dues: to earn something through hard work or experience.
  • She paid her dues as an intern before becoming manager. (She earned her position through effort.)