Definition and meaning of English word "pay"
pay
/peɪ/
Meaning
VerbTo give money or other compensation to in exchange for goods or services.
How to use
The verb 'pay' is often used in formal and informal contexts to describe the act of giving money in exchange for goods or services. A common grammatical nuance is using 'pay' with different prepositions, such as 'pay for' (e.g., 'I paid for the groceries') and 'pay by' (e.g., 'You can pay by credit card'). Learners should be cautious not to confuse 'pay' with 'get paid', which implies receiving money for work done.
🇬🇧 English
pay
Example
I will pay for the meal.
She will pay the rent on time.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- pay attention— to concentrate or focus on something
- pay off— to settle or repay a debt
- pay up— to pay the full amount, especially quickly
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #828 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "pay" mean?▼
The English word "pay" means "pay" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "pay"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "pay" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "pay"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "I will pay for the meal." (which translates as "pay").
More Core Verbs words
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