English Reference
verb · adjective

returned

v. · adj.
US /ɹiˈtɝnd/ UK /ɹɪtˈɜːnd/ re·turned

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    v.went back to a place you were at before.

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

    Simple

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

    In context

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

  2. 02 A2 Elementary

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

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

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

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

  4. 04 C1 Advanced TechnicalAcademic Finance

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

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

    Simple

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

    In context

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

Usage returned home · returned to office · returned to power

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Very common
Updated