ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pays

v.
A2 Elementary US //ˈpeɪz// UK //pˈeɪz// pays

v. to give money to someone for work they did or for something you bought. It can also mean that an action brings you a good result later.

v. to give money to a person or organisation in exchange for goods or services; the third-person singular present form of 'pay'. Also used figuratively to describe an action that results in a benefit or advantage.


SIMPLE

He pays for his coffee with his phone.

CONTEXTUAL

The company pays its employees on the last Friday of every month.

COMPLEX

While the initial investment is high, the strategy usually pays off in the long run by reducing maintenance costs and improving overall efficiency.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive when followed by an object (money or person) and intransitive when used to describe a general state of being profitable.

Pitfall

He payed for the mealHe paid for the mealThe past tense and past participle of 'pay' is 'paid'. 'Payed' is a rare nautical term for sealing a ship's hull.

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