pay

Pronunciation: /peɪ/

Reading level: easy

Estimated CEFR level: A1 — Beginner

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun something that remunerates
  2. verb give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
  3. verb convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow

Etymology

From Middle English payen, from Old French paiier (“pay”), from Medieval Latin pācāre (“to settle, satisfy”) from Latin pācāre (“to pacify”). In this sense, displaced native Old English ġield (“pay”) and ġieldan (“to pay”), whence Modern English yield.

In classic literature

Synonyms

wage, earnings, remuneration, salary

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
regular payment
Narrower (hyponyms)
combat pay, found, half-pay, sick pay, minimum wage, living wage

A single word — an entire dictionary opens.

Type a word, a sentence, a book title, or a link to an English article. WordNet and the Classics answer.

Try

A library of classics · a vault of words · instant etymology & meaning

Continue reading

Nice save! Solidify it with review →