Compensate
/ˈkɒmpənseɪt/
Definitions
To give something to somebody in return for something else, especially in order to correct a mistake or a fault.
/ˈkɒmpənseɪt/
To make amends for; to counterbalance.
The company compensated its employees for the extra hours worked.
💡 Simply: Imagine you accidentally broke your friend's toy. To compensate means to give them something else to make up for it, maybe a new toy or some candy!
👶 For kids: To make things better or fair after something bad happens.
More Examples
He compensated for his lack of experience with hard work.
How It's Used
"The company will compensate the victims for their injuries."
"The salary increase will compensate for the increased cost of living."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
compensate for
To make up for a deficiency or loss.
"His enthusiasm compensated for his lack of skill."
From Latin *compensāre, from com- 'together' + pensare 'to weigh'. Originally meaning 'to weigh together,' reflecting the idea of balancing or making amends.
The word has seen consistent use across centuries, with its meaning evolving subtly to encompass financial and non-financial forms of making amends.
Memory tip
Think of 'compensate' as 'com-pensate' – like putting coins (pens) together to make up for a loss.
Word Origin
"to weigh together"