verb
repay
ree-PAY
verb
1
To pay back money that was borrowed or owed.
"It will take him five years to repay the loan."
"She repaid every penny she owed her sister."
2
To return a favor, kindness, or wrong done to you.
"How can I ever repay you for your help?"
How to Use Repay
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo give back money owed, or to return a kindness (or a wrong) in kind.
Common pairings
repay a debt
repay a favor
repay kindness
Word Forms
repaid past tense, repayed past tense, repaid past tense, repays singular, repays singular
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It will take him five years to _____ the loan.
Etymology
From Old French repaiier, "to pay back," from re- plus paiier, "to pay."