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returned

v. · adj.
US //ɹiˈtɝnd// UK //ɹɪtˈɜːnd// re·turned
  1. 1 went back (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    went back to a place you were at before.

    the past tense of the intransitive verb 'return', indicating the subject moved back to a previous location.

    Example

    After three years living abroad, he finally returned to his hometown.

    Example

    The explorers returned to the base camp exhausted, having spent three weeks navigating the dense jungle without reliable radio contact.

  2. 2 gave back (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    gave or sent something back to its owner or to a shop.

    the past tense of the transitive verb 'return', indicating the restoration of an object to its rightful place or owner.

    Example

    She returned the library books two days after the due date.

    Example

    The customer returned the defective hardware to the manufacturer, demanding a full refund under the terms of the warranty.

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  1. 3 military service (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    describes a soldier who has come back home after serving in a war.

    denoting a person who has come back from active military service, often after being discharged.

    Example

    The town held a small parade to welcome the returned soldiers.

    Example

    The government established new support programmes specifically designed to assist returned veterans with their transition back into civilian employment.

  2. 4 financial profit (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Academic Finance

    describes money that has been earned as a profit from an investment.

    referring to the yield or profit generated from a financial investment or capital outlay.

    Example

    The returned profit on the stock was higher than the bank expected.

    Example

    The fund manager analysed the returned capital from the real estate portfolio to determine the overall success of the quarterly strategy.

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