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returns

n.
US //ɹiˈtɝnz// UK //ɹɪtˈɜːnz// re·turns
  1. 1 items sent back to a shop (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    products that customers bring or send back to a shop because they are not wanted or are broken.

    merchandise returned by a consumer to a retailer or by a retailer to a wholesaler, typically for a refund or exchange.

    Example

    The shop has a special desk for customer returns and complaints.

    Example

    The logistics manager noted a significant spike in returns following the holiday season, primarily due to sizing errors in the online catalogue.
  2. 2 financial profit (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the amount of profit you get from an investment.

    the gain or loss generated on an investment relative to the amount of money invested.

    Example

    Investors are looking for high returns on their savings accounts.

    Example

    While the initial capital requirement was substantial, the projected annual returns justified the risk for the venture capital firm.
    • losses
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  1. 3 official reports (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Law

    official forms or reports, especially about taxes or election results.

    formal reports or statements of results, often in a legal, electoral, or fiscal context.

    Example

    The election returns showed that the local candidate had won by a small margin.

    Example

    The company was penalised for failing to submit its annual tax returns before the statutory deadline.
  2. 4 military report (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Military

    an official list of soldiers who are healthy and ready to fight.

    a formal account or report of the number of soldiers fit for duty within a specific unit.

    Example

    The general checked the daily returns to see how many men were available.

    Example

    The adjutant spent the evening compiling the monthly returns, accounting for every soldier currently stationed at the garrison.
Idioms3 entries

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