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Added 30 September 2026

pay

/peɪ/ symbol

In Latin: solvo, persolvo, defungor Wiktionary

symbol Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about pay at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

ISO 639-3 language code for Pech.

verb

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

noun

Money given in return for work; salary or wages.
Many employers have rules designed to keep employees from comparing their pays.
A paying job; a paying concern.

adjective

Operable or accessible on deposit of coins.
pay toilet
Pertaining to or requiring payment.
pay television

Origin

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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