re-pay
Definition
- Verb:
- To pay back money: "re-pay" means to return money that has been borrowed or owed.
- To recompense or reward: "re-pay" can also mean to give something in return for a service, kindness, or effort.
- To make a second payment: As indicated in the reference, "re-pay" can mean to pay again or to pay a second time.
Usage Examples
To pay back money:
- I need to re-pay the loan by the end of the month. (I must return the borrowed money.)
- She promised to re-pay her friend the $50 she borrowed. (She will give back the money she owes.)
To recompense or reward:
- He tried to re-pay her kindness with a thoughtful gift. (He returned her kindness with a gift.)
- The company will re-pay your hard work with a bonus. (The company will reward your effort.)
To make a second payment:
- If the first check was lost, you must re-pay the invoice. (You must pay the invoice again.)
Advanced Usage
"to re-pay a debt": to settle a financial obligation.
- After years of saving, he finally re-paid his mortgage debt. (He settled the loan completely.)
"to re-pay a favour": to return a kind act.
- I hope I can re-pay the favour you did for me last week. (I hope to return your kindness.)
Variants and Related Words
Repayment (n): the act of paying back money or returning a favour.
- The repayment of the loan is due next month. (The act of returning the borrowed money is scheduled.)
Repayable (adj): able to be paid back or required to be paid back.
- The loan is repayable over five years. (The loan must be paid back within five years.)
Synonyms
Reimburse: to pay back money spent or lost.
- The insurance company will reimburse you for the damage. (The company will pay you back.)
Compensate: to give something in return for effort, loss, or injury.
- The firm will compensate employees for overtime work. (The firm will reward extra work.)
Settle: to pay a debt or obligation in full.
- He settled his account with the bank. (He paid off his debt.)
Phrasal Verbs
Re-pay over time: to pay back in installments.
- You can re-pay the debt over several months. (You can pay back gradually.)
Re-pay in full: to pay back the entire amount at once.
- She re-paid the loan in full ahead of schedule. (She paid the entire amount early.)
Related Idioms
Re-pay someone in kind: to return a favour or action with a similar one.
- When she helped him move, he re-paid her in kind by fixing her car. (He returned the favour with a similar act.)
Re-pay a debt of gratitude: to show appreciation for someone's help.
- I can never fully re-pay my debt of gratitude to my mentor. (I am deeply thankful and cannot adequately return the kindness.)