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to pay
01
to give someone money in exchange for goods or services
Examples
She paid the repairman to fix her broken dishwasher.
Can you pay the babysitter when we get home?
1.1
(of a job, investment, etc.) to provide someone with a certain amount of money
Transitive: to pay an amount of money
Intransitive: to pay in a specific manner
Examples
I want to find a job that pays a higher salary.
She 's looking for jobs that pay at least $ 20 per hour.
1.2
to give the amount of money that is required to be transferred because of a debt, bill, etc.
Transitive: to pay a sum owed
Examples
She needs to pay the rent by the end of the month.
Do n't forget to pay your credit card bill before the due date.
1.3
to be profitable or bring in some advantage, particularly of a business or activity
Intransitive
Examples
It pays to invest time in learning new skills that can benefit your career.
Crime rarely pays in the long run.
02
to experience the consequences or punishment for what one has done or believes
Intransitive: to pay for sth
Transitive: to pay sth
Examples
He knew he would pay for his reckless driving when he got a hefty speeding ticket.
His reckless actions will make him pay dearly in court.
03
(dummy verb) used with certain nouns to indicate giving or doing something that is mentioned
Examples
We should pay a visit to the new neighbors to welcome them to the neighborhood.
During the awards ceremony, they took turns to pay compliments to the talented artists.
Pay
01
the money that is paid to someone for doing their job
Examples
After the promotion, he saw a significant increase in his pay.
Her pay is higher than most in her position.
Lexical Tree
overpay
payer
paying
pay
