pay

A2 · Elementary

v. to give the money that you owe for a bill or a loan.

v. to discharge a financial obligation or debt. Often used with 'off' or 'back' to indicate full settlement.

“He finally managed to pay his electricity bill after getting his salary.”

“The government struggled to pay the interest on its international loans while simultaneously funding essential public services.”

B1 · Intermediate

v. to give something that is not money, like attention, a visit, or a compliment.

v. to bestow or render something non-material, such as attention, a compliment, or a visit. Usually takes a direct object.

“You should pay attention when the teacher is explaining the rules.”

“The ambassador decided to pay a visit to the local community centre to address their concerns regarding the new development.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to result in a benefit or to be a good use of your time.

v. to result in an advantage or profit; to be worth the expenditure of time or effort. Often used intransitively.

“It really pays to plan your trip in advance to save money on flights.”

“In the long run, it pays to invest in high-quality materials rather than opting for the cheapest available alternatives.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to experience something bad because of a mistake you made.

v. to suffer the negative consequences of an action or mistake. Often used in the phrase 'pay the price'.

“If you don't study now, you will pay for it during the exam.”

“The athlete had to pay for his lack of discipline when he failed to qualify for the final round of the competition.”

C2 · Proficiency Science Technical

v. to cover the seams of a wooden ship with tar or pitch to keep water out.

v. to smear or coat the seams of a vessel with a waterproof substance like tar or resin. Primarily used in maritime contexts.

“The sailors had to pay the seams of the deck to keep the cabin dry.”

“Before the long voyage, the crew worked tirelessly to pay the hull with pitch, ensuring the vessel remained watertight in heavy seas.”

A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun

n. the money you receive regularly for doing your job.

n. remuneration provided in exchange for labour or services; encompasses both hourly wages and fixed salaries.

“The workers are asking for better pay and shorter hours.”

“The union negotiated a significant increase in basic pay for all staff members, effective from the start of the next month.”

B1 · Intermediate

adj. describing something that you must pay to use.

adj. denoting a service or facility that requires the insertion of coins or a digital payment to operate.

“It is getting harder to find a pay phone in the city these days.”

“The hotel provides free Wi-Fi in the lobby, but access in the guest rooms is a pay service.”