verb (used with object),paid or ( Obsolete except for def. 12 ) payed,pay·ing.
to settle (a debt, obligation, etc.), as by transferring money or goods, or by doing something: Please pay your bill.
to give over (a certain amount of money) in exchange for something: He paid twenty dollars for the shirt.
to transfer money as compensation or recompense for work done or services rendered; to satisfy the claims of (a person, organization, etc.), as by giving money due: He paid me for my work.
to defray (cost or expense).
to give compensation for.
to yield a recompense or return to; be profitable to: Your training will pay you well in the future.
to yield as a return: The stock paid six percent last year.
to requite, as for good, harm, or an offense: How can I pay her for her kindness and generosity?
to give or render (attention, respects, compliments, etc.), as if due or fitting.
to make (a call, visit, etc.).
to suffer in retribution; undergo: You'll pay the penalty for your stubbornness!
Nautical. to let (a ship) fall off to leeward.
verb (used without object),paid,pay·ing.
to transfer money, goods, etc., as in making a purchase or settling a debt.
to discharge a debt or obligation.
to yield a return, profit, or advantage; be worthwhile: It pays to be courteous.
to give compensation, as for damage or loss sustained.
to suffer or be punished for something: The murderer paid with his life.
noun
the act of paying or being paid; payment.
wages, salary, or a stipend.
a person with reference to solvency or reputation for meeting obligations: The bank regards him as good pay.
paid employment: in the pay of the enemy.
reward or punishment; requital.
a rock stratum from which petroleum is obtained.
adjective
requiring subscribed or monthly payment for use or service: pay television.
operable or accessible on deposit of a coin or coins: a pay toilet.
of or relating to payment.
Verb Phrasespast and past participlepaid or ( Obsolete except for def. 30c ) payed,present participlepay·ing.
pay down,
to pay (part of the total price) at the time of purchase, with the promise to pay the balance in installments: On this plan you pay only ten percent down.
to pay off or back; amortize: The company's debt is being paid down rapidly.
pay for,to suffer or be punished for: to pay for one's sins.
pay off,
to pay (someone) everything that is due that person, especially to do so and discharge from one's employ.
to pay (a debt) in full.
Informal.to bribe.
to retaliate upon or punish.
Nautical.to fall off to leeward.
to result in success or failure: The risk paid off handsomely.
pay out,
to distribute (money, wages, etc.); disburse.
to get revenge upon for an injury; punish.
to let out (a rope) by slackening.
pay up,
to pay fully.
to pay on demand: The gangsters used threats of violence to force the shopkeepers to pay up.
Idioms for pay
pay as you go,
to pay for (goods, services, etc.) at the time of purchase, as opposed to buying on credit.
to spend no more than income permits; keep out of debt.
to pay income tax by regular deductions from one's salary or wages.
pay back,
to repay or return: to pay back a loan.
to retaliate against or punish: She paid us back by refusing the invitation.
to requite.
pay one's / its way,
to pay one's portion of shared expenses.
to yield a return on one's investment sufficient to repay one's expenses: It will take time for the restaurant to begin paying its way.
Origin of pay
1
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English payen, from Old French paier, from Medieval Latin pācāre “to satisfy, settle (a debt),” Latin: “to pacify (by force of arms).” See peace
19. Pay,wage or wages,salary,stipend are terms for amounts of money or equivalent benefits, usually given at a regular rate or at regular intervals, in return for services. Pay is the general term: His pay went up every year.Wage usually designates the pay given at an hourly, daily, or weekly rate, often for manual or semiskilled work; wages usually means the cumulative amount paid at regular intervals for such work: an hourly wage; weekly wages.Salary designates a fixed, periodic payment for regular work or services, usually computed on a monthly or yearly basis: an annual salary paid in twelve equal monthly installments.Stipend designates a periodic payment, either as a professional salary or, more commonly, as a salary in return for special services or as a grant in support of creative or scholarly work: an annual stipend for work as a consultant; a stipend to cover living expenses.
Words nearby pay
Paxos, Pax Romana, Paxton, pax vobiscum, paxwax, pay, payable, pay a call, pay a compliment, pay-and-display, pay-as-you-go
Definition for pay (2 of 2)
pay2
[ pey ]
/ peɪ /
verb (used with object),payed,pay·ing.Nautical.
to coat or cover (seams, a ship's bottom, etc.) with pitch, tar, or the like.
Origin of pay
2
1620–30; <Middle French peier,Old French <Latin picāre to smear with pitch, derivative of pix (stem pic-) pitch2
While Perigee is pre-revenue with just one employee, she is looking to add paying customers and begin growing the company as she moves into a wider public beta.
Perigee infrastructure security solution from former NSA employee moves into public beta|Ron Miller|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
The move comes after the company stopped paying penalties required as part of a settlement four years ago to clean up its mines across the Appalachian coalfields.
This Billionaire Governor’s Coal Company Might Get a Big Break From His Own Regulators|by Ken Ward Jr.|September 17, 2020|ProPublica
Google itself claims in its third party policy with advertisers, that there is certain data necessary to show to the one actually paying money to Google for Ads Program usage.
This decade’s most important marketing question: What data rights do advertisers possess?|Kirk Williams|September 17, 2020|Search Engine Land
The problem for Google is the businesses who don’t fit into those averages, but also have a right to certain data since they are also paying for the ad program, especially small businesses.
This decade’s most important marketing question: What data rights do advertisers possess?|Kirk Williams|September 17, 2020|Search Engine Land
Under Germany’s Kurzarbeit, which translates to “short-time work,” financially distressed employers can drastically reduce worker hours, and the government will pay most of their lost wages.
Job markets in the US and Europe are surprisingly similar|Dan Kopf|September 16, 2020|Quartz
I was declared innocent, and they said I should pay $104,000.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The escort site Cowboys4Angels peddles chiseled, hot-bodied men and their smoldering model looks to women willing to pay.
Career-Minded Women Turn to Male Escorts For No-Strings Fun and (Maybe) Sex|Aurora Snow|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
One that they cannot cash in at the bank to pay for their flats.
One Vogue Cover Doesn’t Solve Fashion’s Big Race Problem|Danielle Belton|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
That could include private financial or personal information—like the credit-card numbers you used to pay for the corrupted Wi-Fi.
How ‘Ethical’ Hotel Chain Marriott Gouges Guests in the Name of Wi-Fi Security|Kyle Chayka|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead of just cutting out whole food groups, Bacon says people should pay attention to how food makes them feel.
Why Your New Year’s Diet Will Fail|Carrie Arnold|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I again refused, and we stood higgling, until we agreed that I should pay him six, and one by way of a dress for himself.
The Adventures of Hajji Baba of Ispahan|James Morier
I agree with my friend that we will pay a visit to Mr. A. at two in the morning.
Arrows of the Chace, v. 2|John Ruskin
If a man will not pay his store bills you cannot expect him to pay his doctor.
How to Collect a Doctor Bill|Frank P. Davis
Good gracious,” I replied, “and does he pay you well for them?
The Wallypug in London|G. E. Farrow
There are moments when I no longer know what I say; you must not pay attention to it.
The Princess of Bagdad|Alexandre Dumas
British Dictionary definitions for pay (1 of 2)
pay1
/ (peɪ) /
verbpays, payingorpaid
to discharge (a debt, obligation, etc) by giving or doing somethinghe paid his creditors
(when intr, often foll by for) to give (money) to (a person) in return for goods or servicesthey pay their workers well; they pay by the hour
to give or afford (a person) a profit or benefitit pays one to be honest
(tr)to give or bestow (a compliment, regards, attention, etc)
(tr)to make (a visit or call)
(intr often foll by for) to give compensation or make amends
(tr)to yield a return ofthe shares pay 15 per cent
to give or do (something equivalent) in return; pay backhe paid for the insult with a blow
(tr; past tense and past participle paid or payed)nauticalto allow (a vessel) to make leeway
Australianinformalto acknowledge or accept (something) as true, just, etc
pay one's way
to contribute one's share of expenses
to remain solvent without outside help
noun
money given in return for work or services; a salary or wage
(as modifier)a pay slip; pay claim
paid employment (esp in the phrase in the pay of)
(modifier)requiring the insertion of money or discs before or during usea pay phone; a pay toilet
(modifier)rich enough in minerals to be profitably mined or workedpay gravel
See also pay back, pay down, pay for, pay in, pay off, pay out, pay up
Word Origin for pay
C12: from Old French payer, from Latin pācāre to appease (a creditor), from pāxpeace
British Dictionary definitions for pay (2 of 2)
pay2
/ (peɪ) /
verbpays, payingorpayed
(tr)nauticalto caulk (the seams of a wooden vessel) with pitch or tar
Word Origin for pay
C17: from Old French peier, from Latin picāre, from pix pitch