ENGLISH
REFERENCE

payable

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpeɪəbəɫ// UK //pˈeɪəbəl// payable

adj. describing money that you must pay by a certain time. It is often used on bills or in business to show who should receive the money.

adj. required to be paid; due. Often used in financial contexts to specify the recipient or the deadline for a debt.


SIMPLE

The total amount is payable by the end of the month.

CONTEXTUAL

Please make all checks payable to the local library rather than to an individual staff member.

COMPLEX

The contract stipulates that the remaining balance becomes immediately payable if the client fails to meet the agreed-upon milestones within the first quarter of the fiscal year.

Synonyms
Origin

From pay + -able.

Usage

Often follows the verb 'to be' or pairs with the preposition 'to' when naming a recipient.

Pitfall

The bill is payable for the companyThe bill is payable to the companyWhen specifying the recipient of the money, use the preposition 'to' after payable.

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