Pay Definition
pay
noun
- something that remunerates; "wages were paid by check"; "he wasted his pay on drink"; "they saved a quarter of all their earnings"
verb
- give money, usually in exchange for goods or services; "I paid four dollars for this sandwich"; "Pay the waitress, please"
- convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow; "Don't pay him any mind"; "give the orders"; "Give him my best regards"; "pay attention"
- cancel or discharge a debt; "pay up, please!"
- bring in; "interest-bearing accounts"; "How much does this savings certificate pay annually?"
- do or give something to somebody in return; "Does she pay you for the work you are doing?"
- dedicate; "give thought to"; "give priority to"; "pay attention to"
- be worth it; "It pays to go through the trouble"
- render; "pay a visit"; "pay a call"
- bear (a cost or penalty), in recompense for some action; "You'll pay for this!"; "She had to pay the penalty for speaking out rashly"; "You'll pay for this opinion later"
- make a compensation for; "a favor that cannot be paid back"
- discharge or settle; "pay a debt"; "pay an obligation"
"Pay" in song lyrics
See how pay is used in real songs:
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"But to hear me rap, ya gotta pay"
2 Live Crew — Check it Out Y'all -
"So we turn to guns and drugs for our pay"
2 Live Crew — In the Dust -
"If you want this pay"
69 Boyz — Booty Drop
Words that rhyme with pay
Usage tips for "pay"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "pay" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for pay to find words that pair well.