verb, paid or (Obsolete except for defs. 12, 24c ) payed; pay⋅ing; noun, adjective | 1. | to settle (a debt, obligation, etc.), as by transferring money or goods, or by doing something: Please pay your bill. |
| 2. | to give over (a certain amount of money) in exchange for something: He paid twenty dollars for the shirt. |
| 3. | to transfer money as compensation or recompense for work done or services rendered; to satisfy the claims of (a person, organization, etc.), as by giving money due: He paid me for my work. |
| 4. | to defray (cost or expense). |
| 5. | to give compensation for. |
| 6. | to yield a recompense or return to; be profitable to: Your training will pay you well in the future. |
| 7. | to yield as a return: The stock paid six percent last year. |
| 8. | to requite, as for good, harm, or an offense: How can I pay her for her kindness and generosity? |
| 9. | to give or render (attention, respects, compliments, etc.), as if due or fitting. |
| 10. | to make (a call, visit, etc.). |
| 11. | to suffer in retribution; undergo: You'll pay the penalty for your stubbornness! |
| 12. | Nautical. to let (a ship) fall off to leeward. |
| 13. | to transfer money, goods, etc., as in making a purchase or settling a debt. |
| 14. | to discharge a debt or obligation. |
| 15. | to yield a return, profit, or advantage; be worthwhile: It pays to be courteous. |
| 16. | to give compensation, as for damage or loss sustained. |
| 17. | to suffer or be punished for something: The murderer paid with his life. |
| 18. | the act of paying or being paid; payment. |
| 19. | wages, salary, or a stipend. |
| 20. | a person with reference to solvency or reputation for meeting obligations: The bank regards him as good pay. |
| 21. | paid employment: in the pay of the enemy. |
| 22. | reward or punishment; requital. |
| 23. | a rock stratum from which petroleum is obtained. |
| 24. | requiring subscribed or monthly payment for use or service: pay television. |
| 25. | operable or accessible on deposit of a coin or coins: a pay toilet. |
| 26. | of or pertaining to payment. |
| 27. | pay down,
|
| 28. | pay for, to suffer or be punished for: to pay for one's sins. |
| 29. | pay off,
|
| 30. | pay out,
|
| 31. | pay up,
|
| 32. | pay as you go,
|
| 33. | pay back,
|
| 34. | pay one's or its way,
|

pay back
Repay a debt or a loan, as in I'll pay you back next month.
Also, pay back in someone's own coin. Revenge oneself, repay in kind, as in He thought he could get away with copying my plans, but I'll pay him back in his own coin. This expression refers to repaying a debt in exactly the same currency in which the money had been lent. [c. 1600]