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Definition and meaning of English word "return"

return

/rɪˈtɜːrn/

Meaning

Verb

To come or go back (to a place or person).

Reviewed by the TheLernen language teamDefinition sourced from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)

How to use

The verb 'return' is commonly used in formal and informal contexts, such as returning a product to a store or returning home after a long trip. It's essential to note that 'return' can be used as a noun or a verb, and learners often confuse the two. For example, 'I'm going to return the book to the library' (verb) vs. 'I need to return the book' (noun).

🇬🇧 English

return

Example

I return the book.

She will return tomorrow.

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Synonyms

to come back to a place or personto move in the opposite directionto go back to a previous stateto return to one's hometo return to a place or person

Common phrases

  • return home— to go back to one's home
  • return the favor— to repay a kindness
  • return to sender— to send something back to the person who sent it
  • return to normal— to go back to a normal state
  • return the money— to give back money that was borrowed

More Extended Verbs words

Frequency rank: #79 in English

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the English word "return" mean?▼

The English word "return" means "return" in English.

How do you pronounce the English word "return"?▼

You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "return" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.

Can I see an example sentence with "return"?▼

Yes, here is a practical example: "I return the book." (which translates as "return").

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