Pay
/peɪ/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo give money to someone for something that you have received or that you want them to do.
/peɪ/
To give money in exchange for goods or services.
He paid the cashier for the items.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're at a store and want to buy a toy. You give the cashier money so you can take the toy home. That's paying!
👶 For kids: Giving money to someone to get something you want.
More Examples
I have to pay my rent by the end of the month.
She paid attention in class to learn the material.
How It's Used
"The customer paid for their groceries."
"I pay my bills on time."
To suffer a loss or be punished for something.
/peɪ/
To suffer or experience (something, typically something unpleasant).
She will pay for her mistakes.
💡 Simply: Sometimes when you do something wrong, there's a consequence, like when you don't do your homework, you have to stay in from recess! It's like 'paying' for the mistake.
👶 For kids: To have a bad thing happen because you did something wrong.
More Examples
He paid a heavy price for his recklessness.
The team paid the penalty for a foul.
How It's Used
"The company paid the price for its bad decisions."
"He'll pay for his actions someday."
Money earned for work done or services rendered.
/peɪ/
Money given in exchange for work or services.
The workers received their paychecks on Friday.
💡 Simply: Think of the money you get from your parents for doing chores. That's your 'pay'!
👶 For kids: Money you get for doing something.
More Examples
He requested a higher rate of pay.
The company offered a competitive pay package.
How It's Used
"The workers demanded a raise in pay."
"Taxes are used to provide social pay."
Idioms & expressions
pay off
To be successful or profitable.
"All the hard work paid off when he got the promotion."
pay the price
To suffer the consequences of something.
"He paid the price for his arrogance."
pay your dues
To work hard or undergo difficult experiences to earn a reward or recognition.
"He had to pay his dues before he was promoted."
From Middle English paien, paȝen, from Old French paier (“to pay”), from Latin pācāre (“to pacify, appease, make peaceful”), from pāx (“peace”).
The word 'pay' has been used since the 13th century and originally meant 'to appease' or 'to pacify'.
Memory tip
Picture a hand handing over money to another person. The payer is giving up something, in exchange of service or goods.
Word Origin
"to pacify, appease, make peaceful"