ENGLISH
REFERENCE

paying

v. · n.
US //ˈpeɪɪŋ// UK //pˈeɪɪŋ// pay·ing
  1. 1 giving money (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    giving money to someone for goods or services.

    the act of transferring currency or credit in exchange for a product, service, or to settle a debt.

    Example

    He is paying for the groceries at the checkout counter right now.

    Example

    By paying the full balance on her credit card every month, she managed to avoid high interest charges and improve her credit score.
    Pitfall
    I am paying for the dinner with cash.
    I am paying for dinner in cash.

    Use 'in cash' for the physical currency, but 'by card' or 'by cheque' for other methods.

  2. 2 giving attention (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    giving your focus or attention to something.

    directing one's focus, attention, or respect toward a specific subject or person.

    Example

    The students were paying close attention to the teacher's instructions.

    Example

    Paying careful attention to the subtle nuances of the contract saved the company from a potentially disastrous legal oversight.
  3. 3 the act of payment (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the act of giving money that is owed.

    the action or process of making a payment; often used in formal or technical contexts regarding the settlement of accounts.

    Example

    The paying of the debt took several years of hard work.

    Example

    The prompt paying of all outstanding invoices is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with our primary suppliers.
    • non payment
Origin

From pay + -ing.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 19, 2026