repay

UK: /rɪˈpeɪ/ US: /rɪˈpeɪ/ ,(ri pā′)

Inflections of 'repay' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

repays

v 3rd person singular

repaying

v pres p

repaid

v past

repaid

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•pay /rɪˈpeɪ/   v., -paid, -pay•ing. 

1. to pay back or refund, such as money owed: [~ + object]
   Repay the five dollars you owe him.
   [~ + object + object]
   Repay him his money.
2. to make return for or to in any way:
   [~ + object] to repay a compliment with a smile.

re•pay•a•ble, adj. 
re•pay•ment, n. 

[uncountable] a repayment for all your help.

[countable] monthly repayments.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•pay  (ri pā′), v., -paid, -pay•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to pay back or refund, as money.
2. to make return for:
   She repaid the compliment with a smile.
3. to make return to in any way:
   We can never repay you for your help.
4. to return:
   to repay a visit.

v.i. 

5. to make repayment or return.

• Middle French repaier. See re-, pay¹
• 1520–30

re•pay′a•ble, adj. 
re•pay′a•bil′i•ty, n. 
re•pay′ment, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. reimburse, indemnify.
• 3. requite, reward.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

repay / rɪˈpeɪ/ verb ( -pays, -paying, -paid)

1. to pay back (money) to (a person); refund or reimburse
2. to make a return for (something) by way of compensation: to repay kindness

reˈpayable adjective

reˈpayment noun