pay

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   bear a cost or penalty, in recompense for some action

   They yelled, "You'll pay for this!" as I walked out.

2. 2
   verb

   cancel or discharge a debt

   pay up, please!

3. 3
   verb

   discharge or settle

   pay a debt

4. 4
   verb

   do or give something to somebody in return

   Do they pay you for the work you are doing?

5. 5
   verb

   render

   pay a visit

6. 6
   verb

   be worth it

   It pays to go through the trouble

7. 7
   verb

   To give money or other compensation to in exchange for goods or services.

   How much will the job pay?

8. 8
   verb

   To discharge, as a debt or other obligation, by giving or doing what is due or required.

   she offered to pay the bill

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.