pay
//peɪ//
Forms
- present (v1)
- pay
- past (v2)
- paid
- past participle (v3)
- paid
- present participle
- paying
- 3rd person singular
- pays
- Plural
- pays
Definitions
1.To give money or other compensation to in exchange for goods or services.
- She is paying him to clean the place up.
- He was paid off the books and in kind where possible.
- He doesn't have money, but he pays rent in chores and housework.
2.To deposit into an account.
- I pay a portion of each paycheck into a savings account.
3.To discharge, as a debt or other obligation, by giving or doing what is due or required.
- He is paying his debt to society.
- The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again.
- He was allowed to go as soon as the kidnappers were paid.
4.To be profitable; to be worth it.
- It didn't pay him to keep the store open any more.
- It will pay to wait.
1.Money given in return for work; salary or wages.
- Many employers have rules designed to keep employees from comparing their pays.
1.Operable or accessible on deposit of coins.
2.Pertaining to or requiring payment.
Frequency
Overall
Very common· #258
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Common
- General reading & writing
- Very common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Uncommon
Related words
Etymology
From Middle English payen, from Old French paiier (“pay”), from Medieval Latin pācāre (“to settle, satisfy”) from Latin pācāre (“to pacify”).
In this sense, displaced native Old English ġield (“pay”) and ġieldan (“to pay”), whence Modern English yield.