Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense returns, present participle returning, past tense, past participle returned
1. verb
When you returnto a place, you go back there after you have been away.
The Prime Minister will return to London tonight. [V + to/from]
Our correspondent has just returned from the camps on the border. [Vto/from n]
So far more than 350,000 people have returned home. [VERB adverb]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: come back, go back, repair, retreat More Synonyms of return
2. singular noun [with poss]
Your return is your arrival back at a place where you had been before.
Ryle explained the reason for his sudden return to London.
3. verb
If you return something that you have borrowed or taken, you give it back or put it back.
I enjoyed the book and said so when I returned it. [VERB noun]
The car was not returned on time, then was reported stolen. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: put back, replace, restore, render More Synonyms of return
Return is also a noun.
The main demand of the Indians is for the return of one-and-a-half-million acresof forest to their communities. [+ of]
4. verb
If you return something somewhere, you put it back where it was.
He returned the notebook to his jacket. [VERB noun + to]
5. verb
If you return someone's action, you do the same thing to them as they have just done to you. Ifyou return someone's feeling, you feel the same way towards them as they feel towards you.
Back at the station the Chief Inspector returned the call. [VERB noun]
She will be disappointed if her feelings are not returned. [VERB noun]
6. verb
If a feeling or situation returns, it comes back or happens again after a period when it was not present.
Calm is returning to the country. [VERB]
The pain returned in waves. [VERB]
Synonyms: recur, come back, repeat, persist More Synonyms of return
Return is also a noun.
It was like the return of his youth.
7. verb
If you returnto a state that you were in before, you start being in that state again.
Life has improved and returned to normal. [VERB + to]
Return is also a noun.
He made an uneventful return to normal health. [+ to]
The opposition now fears a return to martial rule.
8. verb
If you returnto a subject that you have mentioned before, you begin talking about it again.
The power of the Church is one theme all these writers return to. [VERB + to]
9. verb
If you returnto an activity that you were doing before, you start doing it again.
He is 52, young enough to return to politics if he wishes to do so. [VERB + to]
Return is also a noun.
He has not ruled out the shock possibility of a return to football. [+ to]
10. verb
When a judge or jury returns a verdict, they announce whether they think the person on trial is guilty or not.
They returned a verdict of not guilty. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: announce, report, come to, deliver More Synonyms of return
11. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A return ticket is a ticket for a journey from one place to another and then back again.
[mainly British]
He bought a return ticket and boarded the next train for home.
Return is also a noun.
That's enough Airmiles for two returns to Paris, Amsterdam or Brussels.
12. See also day returnregional note: in AM, usually use round trip
13. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
The return trip or journey is the part of a journey that takes you back to where you started from.
Buy an extra ticket for the return trip.
14. countable noun
The returnon an investment is the profit that you get from it.
[business]
Profits have picked up this year but the return on capital remains tiny.
Higher returns and higher risk usually go hand in hand.
15. countable noun
A tax return is an official form that you fill in with details about your income and personalsituation, so that the income tax you owe can be calculated.
He was convicted of filing false income tax returns.
Anyone with complications in their tax affairs is asked to fill in a return.
16. See also tax return
17. plural noun
Returns are the results of votes after an election.
Early returns show the opposition party may have won.
18.
See many happy returns
19.
See in return
20.
See the point of no return
21. to return fire
More Synonyms of return
return in British English
(rɪˈtɜːn)
verb
1. (intransitive)
to come back to a former place or state
2. (transitive)
to give, take, or carry back; replace or restore
3. (transitive)
to repay or recompense, esp with something of equivalent value
return the compliment
4. (transitive)
to earn or yield (profit or interest) as an income from an investment or venture
5. (intransitive)
to come back or revert in thought or speech
I'll return to that later
6. (intransitive)
to recur or reappear
the symptoms have returned
7.
to answer or reply
8. (transitive)
to vote into office; elect
9. (transitive) law
(of a jury) to deliver or render (a verdict)
10. (transitive)
to send back or reflect (light or sound)
the canyon returned my shout
11. (transitive)
to submit (a report, etc) about (someone or something) to someone in authority
12. (transitive) cards
to lead back (the suit led by one's partner)
13. (transitive) ball games
to hit, throw, or play (a ball) back
14. (transitive) architecture
to turn (a part, decorative moulding, etc) away from its original direction
15. return thanks
noun
16.
the act or an instance of coming back
17.
something that is given or sent back, esp unsatisfactory merchandise returned to the maker or supplier or a theatre ticket sent back by a purchaser for resale
18.
the act or an instance of putting, sending, or carrying back; replacement or restoration
19. (often plural)
the yield, revenue, or profit accruing from an investment, transaction, or venture
20.
the act or an instance of reciprocation or repayment (esp in the phrase in return for)
21.
a recurrence or reappearance
22.
an official report, esp of the financial condition of a company
23.
a.
a form (a tax return) on which a statement concerning one's taxable income is made
b.
the statement itself
24. (often plural)
a statement of the votes counted at an election or poll
25.
an answer or reply
26. British short for return ticket
27. New Zealand informal
a second helping of food served at a table
28. architecture
a.
a part of a building that forms an angle with the façade
b.
any part of an architectural feature that forms an angle with the main part
29. law
a report by a bailiff or other officer on the outcome of a formal document such as a claim, summons, etc, issued by a court
30. cards
a lead of a card in the suit that one's partner has previously led
31. ball games
the act of playing or throwing a ball back
32. by return
33. many happy returns
34. the point of no return
adjective
35.
of, relating to, or characterized by a return
a return visit
a return performance
36.
denoting a second, reciprocated occasion
a return match
Word origin
C14: from Old French retorner; see re-, turn
return in American English
(rɪˈtɜrn)
verb intransitive
1.
to go or come back, as to a former place, condition, practice, opinion, etc.
2.
to go back in thought or speech
to return to the subject
3.
to revert to a former owner
4.
to answer; reply; retort
verb transitive
5.
to bring, send, carry, or put back; restore or replace
6.
to give, send, or do (something equivalent to what has been given, sent, or done);give, send, or do in requital or reciprocation
to return a visit, compliment, etc.
7.
to produce (a profit, revenue, etc.); yield
8.
a.
to report or announce officially or formally
b.
to turn in (a writ, account, or statement) to a judge or other official
9.
to elect or reelect, as to a legislature
10.
to replace (a weapon) in its holder
11.
to turn back or in the opposite direction
12.
to reflect (sound, light, etc.)
13. Architecture
to turn away from, or cause to continue on at an angle to, the previous line of direction
14. Cards
to respond to (one's partner's lead) with a lead of the same suit
15. Law
to render (a verdict)
16. Sport
to hit, throw, or run back (a ball)
noun
17.
a coming or going back, as to a former place, condition, etc.
18.
a bringing, sending, carrying, or putting back; restoration or replacement
19.
a.
something returned
b. [pl.]
unsold merchandise returned to the distributor by a retailer or merchandise returned to a retailer by a purchaser
20.
a coming back again; reappearance; recurrence
many happy returns of the day
21.
something done or given as an equivalent for that received; repayment; requital;reciprocation
22.
a.
profit made on an exchange of goods
b. [often pl.]
yield, profit, or revenue, as from labor, investments, etc.
c.
yield per unit as compared to cost per unit; rate of yield
23.
an answer; reply; retort
24.
a report
; esp.,
a.
an official or formal report, as of the financial condition of a company
b. [usually pl.]
a report on a count of votes at polling places
election returns
c.
a form on which taxable income is reported and tax is computed
: in full (income) tax return
25. Architecture
a.
the continuation, as of a molding, colonnade, etc., in a different direction, often at a right angle
b.
a bend or turn, as in a line, wall, etc.
c.
the section between two such bends
26. Cards
a lead in response to one's partner's lead
27. Law
a.
the bringing or sending back of a writ, subpoena, summons, etc. to the proper court or official
b.
a certified report by an election official, assessor, etc.
c.
a certificate or report endorsed on any such document
28. Sport
a.
a hitting or throwing back of a ball
b.
a ball so returned
c.
a running back of a football received on a kick or by an interception
adjective
29.
of or for a return or returning
return postage
30.
given, sent, done, etc. in return
a return match
31.
occurring again
a return performance
32.
returning or returned
33.
changing or reversing direction or formed by a change or reversal in direction, as a bend in a road
Idioms:
in return
Derived forms
returner (reˈturner)
noun
Word origin
ME retournen < OFr retourner: see re- & turn
return in Retail1
(rɪtɜrn)
Word forms: (regular plural) returns
noun
(Retail: General)
A return is an item that had been bought by a customer and is then brought or sent back to the store.
Shoppers seem to have been impulse-buying and then thinking better of it, judgingfrom the number of returns this week.
Depending on the store's return policy, it may be possible to offer in-store credit or gift cards instead of a cashrefund.
A return is an item that had been bought by a customer and is then brought or sent back tothe store.
sale or return
return in Retail2
(rɪtɜrn)
Word forms: (present) returns, (past) returned, (perfect) returned, (progressive) returning
verb
(Retail: General)
When you return faulty or unsatisfactory goods, you take or send them back to the store where you boughtthem.
Have you read the notice saying you cannot return sale items?
The sales clerk should establish why the item is being returned by the customer. What is wrong with the item?
When you return faulty or unsatisfactory goods, you take or send them back to the store where youbought them.
return in Accounting
(rɪtɜrn)
Word forms: (regular plural) returns
noun
(Accounting: Investing)
A return on an investment is the profit that you get from it.
Profits have picked up but the return on capital remains tiny.
Higher returns and higher risk usually go hand in hand.
A return on an investment is the profit that you get from it.
return of capital, return on assets, return on capital, return on equity, return on investment
Examples of 'return' in a sentence
return
The system allows owners to pass profits and losses through to personal tax returns.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The raiding party then backs off and returns to observing the village.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The game must return to one of playing to score tries.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is also intended to make big returns for investors.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Training and certification delivers tangible returns while showing employees they are valued.
Computing (2010)
But we are able to give him all our love and he returns it just by being alive.
The Sun (2016)
He wants a family as much as you do but fertility tests feel like a point of no return.
The Sun (2016)
The reasons are typically twofold: poor investment returns and high charges.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Most Labour MPs who quit the front bench will return only if elections are held.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The firm does not return to a point halfway between the lower and upper limits.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
You could volunteer the details in the notes at the end of your tax return.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
So how does one measure the return on this scale of investment?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They have an average four return trips a year.
The Sun (2008)
This gives you the chance to return again and again without paying a penny extra.
The Sun (2013)
Some of this can be expressed as a return on investment for clients.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Monsters were also returned from a former time.
Tepper, Sheri S. A Plague of Angels (1993)
This is where you agree to sell part of your property in return for an income.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This was underlined by the meagre recovery in returns on capital in manufacturing.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
May she someday be returned to this place to rest in peace.
The Sun (2014)
They may also have returned home by the time of any trial.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Two days after his return from the trip his sight went completely.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They all rejected him and he returned home empty handed.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The income that a company produces is the most tangible part of the return.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The first pair returned and reported all clear.
Aldiss, Brian Somewhere East of Life (1994)
The duchess might have some misgivings about her husband returning to the air.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Their new job will be covered until they return to work.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The danger that elections might return a fragmented coalition is less than the danger of retaining this septuagenarian.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But his family were left stranded after the airline said he could not fly despite having a return ticket.
The Sun (2013)
She can make a successful return.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She had just returned from a trip with Roche.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
If the person refuses to complete and return this form, you should apply backup withholding.
Christianity Today (2000)
Word lists with
return
terms used in architecture, architectural features, tennis
In other languages
return
British English: return /rɪˈtɜːn/ NOUN
coming back Your return is when you arrive back at a place where you were before.
He explained the reason for his sudden return to the town.
American English: return coming back
Arabic: عَوْدَة
Brazilian Portuguese: retorno
Chinese: 返回
Croatian: povratak
Czech: návrat
Danish: tilbagevenden
Dutch: terugkeer
European Spanish: regreso
Finnish: tuotto
French: retour
German: Ertrag
Greek: επιστροφή
Italian: guadagno
Japanese: 帰ること coming back
Korean: 귀환
Norwegian: avkastning
Polish: powrót
European Portuguese: retorno
Romanian: înapoiere
Russian: возвращение
Latin American Spanish: regreso
Swedish: avkastning
Thai: การกลับไป
Turkish: getiri
Ukrainian: повернення
Vietnamese: sự trở lại
British English: return /rɪˈtɜːn/ NOUN
on an investment The return on an investment is the amount of money you gain from it.
Investors want higher returns on riskier investments.
American English: return yield
Arabic: كَسْب
Brazilian Portuguese: retorno
Chinese: 利润
Croatian: povrat
Czech: výnos investice
Danish: afkast
Dutch: opbrengst
European Spanish: rendimiento
Finnish: paluu
French: rendement
German: Rückkehr
Greek: απόδοση
Italian: ritorno
Japanese: 収益 yield
Korean: 수익
Norwegian: tilbakekomst
Polish: powrót powracać
European Portuguese: retorno
Romanian: beneficiu
Russian: прибыль
Latin American Spanish: retorno retorno de la inversión
Swedish: återkomst
Thai: ผลตอบแทน
Turkish: geri dönüş
Ukrainian: дохід
Vietnamese: vốn hoàn lại
British English: return /rɪˈtɜːn/ VERB
give back If you return something to someone, you give it back to them.
I forgot to return my library books.
American English: return
Arabic: يُعْيدُ
Brazilian Portuguese: devolver
Chinese: 回返
Croatian: vratiti
Czech: vrátit
Danish: returnere
Dutch: retourneren
European Spanish: devolver corresponder
Finnish: palauttaa
French: rendre
German: zurückgeben
Greek: επιστρέφω
Italian: restituire
Japanese: 戻す
Korean: ...을 되돌려 주다
Norwegian: returnere
Polish: powrócić
European Portuguese: devolver
Romanian: a înapoia
Russian: возвращать
Latin American Spanish: devolver
Swedish: lämna tillbaka
Thai: คืน
Turkish: geri dönmek
Ukrainian: повертати
Vietnamese: trả lại
British English: return /rɪˈtɜːn/ VERB
go back When you return to a place, you go back to it after you have been away.
He returned to his hometown after he retired.
American English: return
Arabic: يَرْجِعُ
Brazilian Portuguese: voltar
Chinese: 回返
Croatian: vratiti se
Czech: vrátit se
Danish: vende tilbage
Dutch: terugkeren
European Spanish: regresar
Finnish: palata
French: revenir
German: zurückkehren
Greek: επιστρέφω
Italian: ritornare
Japanese: 戻る
Korean: 돌아오다
Norwegian: returnere
Polish: wrócić
European Portuguese: voltar
Romanian: a se înapoia
Russian: возвращаться
Latin American Spanish: regresar
Swedish: återvända
Thai: กลับคืน กลับมา
Turkish: geri döndürmek
Ukrainian: повертатися
Vietnamese: trở về
British English: return /rɪˈtɜːn/ NOUN
ticket A return or a return ticket is a ticket that allows you to travel to a place and then back again.
He bought a return ticket and boarded the next train for home.
American English: round-trip ticket
Arabic: تَذْكِرَةُ ذِهَابٍ و إِيَاب
Brazilian Portuguese: bilhete de ida e volta
Chinese: 往返票
Croatian: povratna karta
Czech: zpáteční lístek jízdenka, letenka
Danish: returbillet
Dutch: retour
European Spanish: billete de ida y vuelta
Finnish: meno-paluulippu
French: aller-retour
German: Rückfahrkarte
Greek: εισιτήριο μετ’ επιστροφής
Italian: biglietto di andata e ritorno
Japanese: 往復切符
Korean: 왕복표
Norwegian: returbillett
Polish: bilet powrotny
European Portuguese: bilhete de ida e volta
Romanian: bilet dus-întors
Russian: обратный билет
Latin American Spanish: boleto de vuelta
Swedish: tur- och returbiljett
Thai: ตั๋วไปกลับ
Turkish: gidiş-dönüş bilet
Ukrainian: зворотний квиток
Vietnamese: vé khứ hồi
All related terms of 'return'
by return
by the next post back to the sender
in return
If you do something in return for what someone else has done for you, you do it because they did that thing for you.
day return
A day return is a train or bus ticket which allows you to go somewhere and come back on the same day for a lower price than an ordinary return ticket.
nil return
a reply of zero to a request for a quantified reply
return fare
the fare charged for a return journey ; a two-way fare
return half
the return part of a two-way ticket
return key
the key on a keyboard which moves the cursor to the next line
return trip
the journey back from a destination
tax return
A tax return is an official form that you fill in with details about your income and personal situation , so that the tax you owe can be calculated .
VAT return
an annual account of a company's or person's VAT transactions
earth return
the return path for an electrical circuit made by connections to earth at each end
ground return
Ground return is the return path for an electrical circuit made by connections to ground at each end.
joint return
a single income tax return filed by a married couple , combining their individual incomes
return crease
one of two lines marked at right-angles to each bowling crease , from inside which a bowler must deliver the ball
return flight
a flight going back
return match
A return match is the second of two matches that are played by two sports teams or two players.
return stroke
the main discharge in a lightning stroke
return thanks
(of Christians) to say grace before a meal
return ticket
a ticket entitling a passenger to travel to his or her destination and back again
return train
A train is a number of carriages , cars, or trucks which are all connected together and which are pulled by an engine along a railway . Trains carry people and goods from one place to another.
return visit
If you make a return visit , you visit someone who has already visited you, or you go back to a place where you have already been once.
carriage return
a mechanism on a typewriter that causes the carriage to return to the left side of the paper
return journey
the journey back from a destination
rate of return
The rate of return on an investment is the amount of profit it makes, often shown as a percentage of the original investment.
sale or return
an arrangement by which a retailer pays only for goods sold , returning those that are unsold to the wholesaler or manufacturer
to return fire
If you return fire or you return someone's fire , you shoot back at someone who has shot at you.
day return ticket
a reduced fare for a journey (by train, etc) travelling both ways in one day
income tax return
a declaration of personal income made annually to the tax authorities and used as a basis for assessing an individual's liability for taxation
return of capital
A return of capital is a situation in which you receive back money that was previously invested .
return on assets
A return on assets is a measure of profitability that is calculated by dividing net income after interest and taxes by average total assets.
return on capital
A return on capital is any earnings that you receive from the capital that you have invested .
return on equity
A return on equity is a measure of profitability that is calculated by dividing net income after interest and taxes by average common stockholders' equity.
by return of post
by the next mail in the opposite direction
point of no return
a point at which an irreversible commitment must be made to an action, progression , etc
return on investment
A return on investment is a measure of profitability that is calculated by dividing net profit by total assets .
return the compliment
If you say that someone returns the compliment , you mean that they do the same thing to someone else as that person has done to them.
compound annual return
the total return available from an investment , deposit , etc, when the interest earned is used to augment the capital
internal rate of return
an interest rate giving a net present value of zero when applied to the expected cash flow of a project . Its value, compared to the cost of the capital involved, is used to determine the project's viability
the point of no return
If you say that you have reached the point of no return , you mean that you now have to continue with what you are doing and it is too late to stop.
RTV
RTV is an instruction authorizing the return of unwanted or damaged goods to the seller , the cost of which will then be refunded to the buyer .
round-trip ticket
a ticket entitling a passenger to travel to his or her destination and back again
Chinese translation of 'return'
return
(rɪˈtəːn)
vi
[person]返回 (fǎnhuí)
⇒ I returned to my hotel.我返回到我住的酒店。 (Wǒ fǎnhuí dào wǒ zhù de jiǔdiàn.)
[situation, symptom]再出现(現) (zàichūxiàn)
⇒ If the pain returns, repeat the treatment.如果疼痛再出现，则重复疗程。 (Rúguǒ téngtòng zài chūxiàn, zé chóngfù liáochéng.)
vt
[something borrowed or stolen]归(歸)还(還) (guīhuán)
⇒ He returned her passport.他归还了她的护照。 (Tā guīhuánle tā de hùzhào.)
[favour, feeling, greeting]回 (huí)
(Law)[verdict]裁决(決) (cáijué)
(Pol)[candidate]推选(選) (tuīxuǎn)
[ball]回传(傳) (huíchuán)
n
(s)[of person]返回 (fǎnhuí)
(s)[of something borrowed or stolen]归(歸)还(還) (guīhuán)
(s) (to activity, to a state) 回到 (huídào)
(c/u) (Econ, from land, shares, investment) 盈利 (yínglì)
(s)[of merchandise]退货(貨) (tuìhuò)
(u) (Comput, = key) 回车(車)键(鍵) (huíchējiàn)
cpd
(Brit)[journey, ticket]往返 (wǎngfǎn)
[match] (Brit) 回访(訪) (huífǎng)
in return (for)作为(為)(对(對) ... )的回报(報) (zuòwéi (duì ... ) de huíbào)
by return of post请(請)即赐(賜)复(復) (qǐng jí cì fù)
many happy returns (of the day)!生日快乐(樂)！ (shēngrì kuàilè!)