payable
adj. · n.-
1 due to be paid (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatedescribes money that you must pay now or by a certain date.
required to be paid; due. Often used in commercial contexts to specify the deadline for a debt.
ExampleThe electricity bill is payable by the end of the month.
ExampleThe full balance of the invoice becomes payable within thirty days of the delivery date, after which interest will begin to accrue.
UsageOften followed by the preposition 'by' for a date or 'to' for a person.
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2 made out to (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediateused to say who should receive a payment, especially on a cheque.
specifying the person or entity to whom a payment must be made.
ExamplePlease make the cheque payable to the local library.
ExampleAll membership fees should be made payable to the treasurer rather than the club's general account.
UsageAlmost exclusively used in the phrase 'make [something] payable to'.
- addressed to
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3 business debts (n.) C1 Advanced Technicalthe money that a company owes to its suppliers or for its bills.
the debts or liabilities of a business, specifically those owed to creditors for goods or services.
ExampleThe accountant spent the afternoon checking the company's payables.
ExampleThe firm struggled with its cash flow because its payables were due much sooner than its incoming revenue.
UsageUsually used in the plural form 'payables'.
- receivables
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4 profitable mine (adj.) C2 Proficiency Technical Sciencedescribes a mine or area of land that has enough gold or minerals to make a profit.
capable of yielding a profit when worked; used specifically in mining and extraction industries.
ExampleThe company finally found a payable vein of silver deep in the mountain.
ExampleGeological surveys indicated that the site contained payable quantities of copper, justifying the high cost of the initial excavation.
From pay + -able.