Definitions for PAYpeɪ

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

paypeɪ(v.)paid; payed, pay•ing

(v.t.)to discharge or settle (a debt, obligation, etc.), as by transferring money or goods, or by doing something.
to give over (money) in exchange for something.
to transfer money to (a person or organization) as compensation for work done or services rendered.
to defray (cost or expense).
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 reward or retaliate against, as for good, harm, or an offense.
to give or render (attention, respects, a compliment, etc.), as if due or fitting.
to make (a call, visit, etc.).
to suffer in retribution; undergo:
to pay the penalty for a crime.
(v.i.)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:
to pay with one's life.
pay back, to repay or return. to retaliate against; punish.
Category: Verb Phrase
pay off, to pay (someone) everything that is due that person, esp. final wages. to pay (a debt) in full. Informal. to bribe. to retaliate against; punish. to result in success or failure.
Category: Verb Phrase
pay out, to distribute (money, wages, etc.); disburse. to let out (a rope) by slackening.
Category: Verb Phrase
pay up, to pay fully. to pay on demand.
Category: Verb Phrase
(n.)the act of paying or being paid; payment.
wages, salary, or a stipend.
paid employment.
(adj.)operable or accessible on deposit of coins:
a pay toilet.
Category: Common Vocabulary
pertaining to or requiring payment.

Idioms for pay:

pay one's (own) way,to pay one's own share of the expenses; be self-supporting.
Category: Idiom
pay through the nose,to pay an exorbitant price.
Category: Idiom

Origin of pay:

1150–1200; ME < OF paier < ML pācāre to satisfy, settle (a debt), L: to pacify (by force of arms). See peace

paypeɪ(v.t.)payed, pay•ing.

to coat or cover (seams, a ship's bottom, etc.) with pitch, tar, or the like.
Category: Nautical, Navy

Origin of pay:

1620–30; < MF peier, OF < L picāre to smear with pitch, der. of pix (s. pic-) pitch2

Princeton's WordNet

wage, pay, earnings, remuneration, salary(verb)
something that remunerates
"wages were paid by check"; "he wasted his pay on drink"; "they saved a quarter of all their earnings"
pay(verb)
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
"I paid four dollars for this sandwich"; "Pay the waitress, please"
give, pay(verb)
convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow
"Don't pay him any mind"; "give the orders"; "Give him my best regards"; "pay attention"
pay up, ante up, pay(verb)
cancel or discharge a debt
"pay up, please!"
yield, pay, bear(verb)
bring in
"interest-bearing accounts"; "How much does this savings certificate pay annually?"
pay, pay off, make up, compensate(verb)
do or give something to somebody in return
"Does she pay you for the work you are doing?"
give, pay, devote(verb)
dedicate
"give thought to"; "give priority to"; "pay attention to"
pay(verb)
be worth it
"It pays to go through the trouble"
pay(verb)
render
"pay a visit"; "pay a call"
pay(verb)
bear (a cost or penalty), in recompense for some action
"You'll pay for this!"; "She had to pay the penalty for speaking out rashly"; "You'll pay for this opinion later"
pay(verb)
make a compensation for
"a favor that cannot be paid back"
pay(verb)
discharge or settle
"pay a debt"; "pay an obligation"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

pay(noun)ɪ
money you are given for working
low pay; a pay increase/cut
pay(verb)ɪ
to give money when you buy sth
I'll pay this time.; Do you have to pay for your own books?; I can't afford to pay my electricity bill.; Can I pay by credit card?; to pay in cash/dollars/euros etc.
payɪ
to pay for everything you need yourself
He managed to pay his way through college.
payɪ
to give sb money for working
The company pays well.; Have you been paid for last month yet?; I'm paid $30/hour.
payɪ
to give an advantage
It pays to eat a balanced diet.
payɪ
to listen and watch carefully
Marina, please pay attention.; He wasn't paying attention to what I said.
payɪ
to say sth kind about sb
Mr. Henry paid her a compliment on her piano playing.
payɪ
to visit sb
I'm planning to pay Judy a visit while I'm in town.
payɪ
to visit or send a greeting to
Be sure to pay my respects to your parents.

Wiktionary

pay(Noun)
Money given in return for work; salary or wages.
Many employers have rules designed to keep employees from comparing their pays.
pay(Verb)
To give money in exchange for goods or services.
He paid him to clean the place up.
pay(Verb)
To be profitable.
Crime doesnu2019t pay.
pay(Verb)
To be profitable for.
It didn't pay him to keep the store open any more.
pay(Verb)
To give (something else than money).
To pay attention
pay(Verb)
To discharge an obligation or debt.
He was allowed to go as soon as he paid.
pay(Verb)
To suffer consequences.
He paid for his fun in the sun with a terrible sunburn.

Origin: From payen, from paier, from pācāre "to settle, satisfy" from paco. Displaced native yelden (from gieldan), scotten (from gescot).

Webster Dictionary

Pay(verb)
to cover, as bottom of a vessel, a seam, a spar, etc., with tar or pitch, or waterproof composition of tallow, resin, etc.; to smear
Pay(verb)
to satisfy, or content; specifically, to satisfy (another person) for service rendered, property delivered, etc.; to discharge one's obligation to; to make due return to; to compensate; to remunerate; to recompense; to requite; as, to pay workmen or servants
Pay(verb)
hence, figuratively: To compensate justly; to requite according to merit; to reward; to punish; to retort or retaliate upon
Pay(verb)
to discharge, as a debt, demand, or obligation, by giving or doing what is due or required; to deliver the amount or value of to the person to whom it is owing; to discharge a debt by delivering (money owed)
Pay(verb)
to discharge or fulfill, as a duy; to perform or render duty, as that which has been promised
Pay(verb)
to give or offer, without an implied obligation; as, to pay attention; to pay a visit
Pay(verb)
to give a recompense; to make payment, requital, or satisfaction; to discharge a debt
Pay(verb)
hence, to make or secure suitable return for expense or trouble; to be remunerative or profitable; to be worth the effort or pains required; as, it will pay to ride; it will pay to wait; politeness always pays
Pay(noun)
satisfaction; content
Pay(noun)
an equivalent or return for money due, goods purchased, or services performed; salary or wages for work or service; compensation; recompense; payment; hire; as, the pay of a clerk; the pay of a soldier