English Reference

Word

rebate

Phoneticsre·bate, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈɹiˌbeɪt/

UK/ɹˈiːbeɪt/

Definitions

01a partial refund

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. an amount of money that is paid back to you, often by a government or a company.

n. a return of part of a payment or a deduction from an amount due, such as a tax refund or a promotional discount.

“The government offered a tax rebate to homeowners who installed solar panels.”

“Eligible residents can apply for a significant rebate on their utility bills if they meet the new energy-efficiency criteria.”

Antonyms

02photography

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Technical

n. the edge of a piece of film where there is no picture.

n. the unexposed edge of a roll of film, typically containing manufacturer information or frame numbers.

“The photographer decided to include the film rebate in the final print for an artistic look.”

“Scanning the full frame including the rebate allows the viewer to see the specific film stock used for the project.”

Synonyms

03woodworking groove

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical

n. a rectangular groove cut into the edge of a piece of wood so another piece can fit into it.

n. a rectangular step or groove cut into the edge of a machinable material, usually wood, to form a joint.

“He cut a rebate into the wooden frame so the glass would sit perfectly inside.”

“The carpenter used a specialized plane to create a clean rebate along the edge of the cabinet door.”

Usage

Often spelled 'rabbet' in American English woodworking contexts.

Synonyms

04to give money back

C1 · Advanced Formal

v. to give someone a partial refund or to reduce a bill.

v. to deduct or return a specific amount from a bill, payment, or tax obligation.

“The company agreed to rebate ten percent of the purchase price to all customers.”

“The manufacturer promised to rebate a portion of the wholesale cost if the retailer met the quarterly sales targets.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

Real-World Examples

“The rebate stems from duties the retailer paid after President Trump imposed a wave of tariffs on imported goods last year.”
BBC News 20 Aug 2026
“How long do you have to wait for a tax rebate in Spain?”
The Local 12 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Old French rabatre < batre. See also abate.

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

Domain

Photography

This entry

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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Frequent
Level
C1 · Advanced
Updated

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English Reference