pays

Verb

pay (third-person singular simple present pays, present participle paying, simple past and past participle paid or (obsolete) payed)

1. (ambitransitive) To give money or other compensation to in exchange for goods or services.
   • pay cash or pay in cash, pay by credit/debit card
2. (intransitive, transitive) To deposit into an account.
   • I pay a portion of each paycheck into a savings account.
3. (ambitransitive) To discharge, as a debt or other obligation, by giving or doing what is due or required.
   • to pay compensation, to pay a fine

   Synonyms:

   pay off, repay

4. (intransitive, transitive) To be profitable; to be worth it.
   • It didn't pay him to keep the store open any more.
5. (intransitive) To cover, as a cost.
   • Those investments paid for her college education.
6. (transitive) To yield as a benefit.
   • to pay dividends; to pay interest

   Synonyms:

   pay out, yield, return

See all 16 meanings of pay