1. (

• pay

) give money, usually in exchange for goods or services; "I paid four dollars for this sandwich"; "Pay the waitress, please" ;

2. (

• give ,
• pay

) 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" ;

3. (

• pay_up ,
• ante_up ,
• pay ,

) cancel or discharge a debt; "pay up, please!" ;

4. (

• yield ,
• pay ,
• bear ,

) bring in; "interest-bearing accounts"; "How much does this savings certificate pay annually?" ;

5. (

• pay ,
• pay_off ,
• make_up ,
• compensate ,

) do or give something to somebody in return; "Does she pay you for the work you are doing?" ;

6. (

• give ,
• pay ,
• devote

) dedicate; "give thought to"; "give priority to"; "pay attention to" ;

7. (

• pay

) be worth it; "It pays to go through the trouble" ;

8. (

• pay

) render; "pay a visit"; "pay a call" ;

9. (

• pay ,

) 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" ;

10. (

• pay ,

) make a compensation for; "a favor that cannot be paid back" ;

11. (

• pay ,

) discharge or settle; "pay a debt"; "pay an obligation" ;

1. (

• gainful ,
• paid ,
• paying

) yielding a fair profit ;

2. (

• compensable ,
• paying ,
• remunerative ,
• salaried ,
• stipendiary ,

) for which money is paid; "a paying job"; "remunerative work"; "salaried employment"; "stipendiary services" ;