pay
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
How often you will meet it
Rank 569 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 34,247 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.016% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 1,000 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
verb
- give money, usually in exchange for goods or services I paid four dollars for this sandwichPay the waitress, please
- convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow also: give Don't pay him any mindgive the orders
- cancel or discharge a debt also: pay up, ante up pay up, please!
- bring in also: yield, bear interest-bearing accountsHow much does this savings certificate pay annually?
- do or give something to somebody in return also: pay off, make up, compensate Does she pay you for the work you are doing?
- dedicate also: give, devote give thought togive priority to
pay in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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It's a bore, but perhaps it will pay.
Gloria and Treeless Street · Annie Hamilton Donnell · Chapter 1
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Biscoe denied the service and refused to pay the demand.
The Red Record Tabulated Statistics · Ida B. Wells-Barnett · Chapter 1
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They killed everything that did not pay for its eating.
Famous Stories Every Child Should Know · Hamilton Wright [Editor] Mabie · Chapter 1
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He did not pay very much attention to any one else.
Emily Fox-Seton · Frances Hodgson Burnett · Chapter 1
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How much have you had to pay for this new witness, uncle?
An Egyptian Princess — Volume 07 · Georg Ebers · Chapter 1