Definition pay back in American English

pay back phrasal verb

[transitive] phrasal verb

to give someone the same amount of money that you borrowed from them

Example

I'll be able to pay you back next week.

Example

I don't think we can afford to pay the full amount back now.

Example

She'll pay us the rest back when she gets her paycheck.

Synonyms and related words

amortize clear compound

Explore Thesaurus

to do something bad to someone because they have done something bad to you

Example

She knew how to pay them back for the trouble they had caused.

Synonyms and related words

retaliate pay back get back at

Explore Thesaurus