Returns
/rɪˈtɜːrnz/
Definitions
7 meaningsTo come or go back to a place or person, or to put something back where it belongs.
/rɪˈtɜːrnz/
To come or go back to a place or person.
She returns to her hometown every summer.
💡 Simply: Imagine you went to a friend's house and left something there. Returning means going back to get it, or back to your own house after a trip. It's like going *back* to where you started or were before. For example, 'I will return to the library tomorrow to finish my research.'
👶 For kids: To go back to a place or a person.
More Examples
The package returned to the sender.
The investment returned a profit after a year.
How It's Used
"The traveler returns home after a long trip."
"The CEO returns to the office after a business trip."
To give back or restore something, or to submit something (e.g., a verdict, a favor).
/rɪˈtɜːrnz/
To give back something.
She returned the library book.
💡 Simply: When you return something, you're giving it back to someone or some place. It's like borrowing a book and then giving it back to the library. For instance, you 'return a borrowed item to the store.'
👶 For kids: To give something back to someone.
More Examples
The jury returned a guilty verdict.
He returned the favor by helping her move.
How It's Used
"The customer returns the defective product."
"The jury returns a verdict."
To produce or yield something, often a profit or result.
/rɪˈtɜːrnz/
To produce or yield.
The investment returns a high yield.
💡 Simply: Returns also means to create something – like a profit. Think about an investment: if it's a good one, it returns money for you. For instance, 'The apple tree returns a large harvest of fruit every autumn.'
👶 For kids: To make or create something, like money or food.
More Examples
The project returned positive results.
This land returns rich crops.
How It's Used
"The investment returns a profit."
"The farm returns a good harvest."
The act of coming or going back.
/rɪˈtɜːrnz/
The act of going or coming back.
The return of the missing dog was a happy occasion.
💡 Simply: A return is when you go back to a place or when something comes back. For example: 'I booked a return ticket.'
👶 For kids: When you go back to a place or when something comes back.
More Examples
The return flight was scheduled for 6 PM.
The company's return on investment was very high.
How It's Used
"The return flight was delayed."
"He calculated the return on investment."
An official document, statement, or report, particularly for tax or financial purposes.
/rɪˈtɜːrnz/
A document or statement.
He filed his income tax returns.
💡 Simply: Think of returns as forms you fill out, like tax returns. These forms tell people things, like how much money you made or what happened with a project. For example: 'She spent the morning preparing her tax returns.'
👶 For kids: A paper or form that has information written on it.
More Examples
The company's financial returns were impressive.
The census returns provided population data.
How It's Used
"He filed his tax returns."
"The company's financial returns were published."
The profit or yield on an investment.
/rɪˈtɜːrnz/
Profit or yield on an investment.
The stocks generated substantial returns.
💡 Simply: Returns in this sense mean the money you make from an investment. If you invest in a company, the returns are how much money you get back. For example: 'The returns on his stocks were above average.'
👶 For kids: Money that you earn or get back from something you invest in.
More Examples
She saw a good return on her investment.
The company's returns improved this year.
How It's Used
"The investment yielded high returns."
"The company's returns increased."
The act of giving a product back, usually for a refund or exchange.
/rɪˈtɜːrnz/
The act of giving back a product.
The customer requested a return of the item.
💡 Simply: In shopping, a return is when you bring something back to the store. For example: 'I made a return because the shirt didn't fit.'
👶 For kids: Giving something back to the store.
More Examples
The store has a generous return policy.
I processed several returns today.
How It's Used
"The store accepted the return of the damaged item."
"The customer initiated a return for the product."
Synonyms
Reappear
Recur
Repay
Restore
Generate
Produce
Provide
Recurrence
Account
Record
Report
Benefit
Gain
Profit
Exchange
Reclamation
Refund
Restitution
Antonyms
Depart
Go
Leave
Keep
Retain
Fail
Lose
Departure
Exit
Leaving
Outgoing
Ignorance
Omission
Deficit
Depletion
Expense
Loss
Acquisition
Keeping
Purchase
Retention
Idioms & expressions
the point of no return
A time or situation where a person or action has gone so far that it cannot be reversed.
"The country had reached the point of no return in its environmental damage."
to have a return on (something)
To profit or benefit from an investment or effort.
"The company hopes to have a good return on its investment."
From Middle English retouren, from Old French retourner, from re- (again) + tourner (to turn).
Used since the 13th century, initially referring to the act of coming back or going back.
Memory tip
Think of a boomerang – it *returns* to the thrower.