Word
payday
Phoneticspay·day, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpeɪˌdeɪ/
UK/pˈeɪdeɪ/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. the day when you receive your salary or wages for the work you have done. It is often a day people look forward to for shopping or paying bills.
n. the specific day on which an employee receives their earned wages or salary. Often used figuratively to refer to a significant financial gain or reward.
Examples
“Everyone is happy because tomorrow is payday.”
“Since Friday is payday, the team decided to go out for an expensive lunch to celebrate their hard work.”
“The retail sector often sees a predictable surge in consumer spending during the final weekend of the month, coinciding with the local payday for most office workers.”
Examples
simple
“Everyone is happy because tomorrow is payday.”
contextual
“Since Friday is payday, the team decided to go out for an expensive lunch to celebrate their hard work.”
complex
“The retail sector often sees a predictable surge in consumer spending during the final weekend of the month, coinciding with the local payday for most office workers.”
Usage
Usually countable when referring to the specific calendar date; can be uncountable when referring to the general concept of receiving payment.
Etymology
From pay + day.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/payday