return

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To come or go back to a place.

   She returned home after living abroad for ten years.

2. 2
   verb

   To give or send something back.

   Please return the book to the library by Friday.

3. 3
   noun

   The act of coming or going back to a place.

   On my return from Australia, my friends gave me a welcoming party.

4. 4
   noun

   The profit you make from an investment.

   The average return on the investment was about five percent.

5. 5
   noun

   An official form giving the tax office details of your income.

   They earned enough that they had to file a tax return.

Common collocations

• safe return Adjective + noun
• return a call Verb + noun
• expect a return Verb + noun
• return a favor Verb + noun
• annual return Adjective + noun
• file a return Verb + noun

From Middle English returnen, retornen, from Anglo-Norman returner, from Old French retourner, retorner, from Medieval Latin retornare (“to turn back”), from re- + tornare (“to turn”). By surface analysis, re- + turn. Compare beturn.

Topics