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REFERENCE

paid

adj.
US //ˈpeɪd// UK //pˈeɪd// paid
  1. 1 not free (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    describing something that you must give money for.

    requiring payment; not provided free of charge.

    Example

    The museum has a free section and a paid exhibition.

    Example

    The application offers a basic version for free, but the advanced features are only available through a paid subscription.
  2. 2 receiving a salary (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    describing a person who gets money for their work.

    receiving financial compensation for work or services rendered.

    Example

    She is a paid consultant for the local government.

    Example

    The organisation relies on a mix of dedicated volunteers and a small team of paid staff to manage daily operations.
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  1. 3 rich or wealthy (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Slang

    having a lot of money.

    possessing significant financial wealth or having recently acquired a large sum of money.

    Example

    After his business became a success, he was finally paid.

    Example

    The young entrepreneur was suddenly paid after the tech giant acquired his startup for several million dollars.
Etymology 1

From pay + -ed.

Etymology 2

From Middle English paid, payd, ipaid, ypayd, past participle of Middle English paien, payen (“to pay”), equivalent to pay + -ed.

Idioms1 entry

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