repay
UK: /rɪˈpeɪ/ | US: /rɪˈpeɪ/
vt. to pay back (money borrowed or owed)
vt. to return a favor or kindness; to reciprocate
vt. to make a return or compensation for something
repay = re<again, back> + pay<give money>
- re: A prefix from Latin meaning "again" or "back," indicating repetition or reversal.
- pay: Derived from Old French paier, from Latin pacare ("to pacify, settle a debt"), evolving to mean "to give money in exchange for goods or services."
Etymology Origin:
The word "repay" combines the Latin prefix re- (suggesting return or repetition) with the verb pay, reflecting the act of giving back what is owed—whether money or a favor. Its structure clearly conveys the concept of restitution or reciprocation, rooted in medieval financial and social exchanges.
She promised to repay the loan within a year.
He repaid her kindness by helping her move.
The company repaid its investors with generous dividends.
How can I ever repay you for your support?
The new policy aims to repay workers for their loyalty.