compensate
B2formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
to give someone something (often money) to make up for a loss, injury, or disadvantage
to counterbalance or offset something undesirable; to make amends; to adjust for a deficiency or imbalance
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a formal or official response to a loss or unfair situation. Can be used both transitively (compensate someone) and intransitively (compensate for something).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in British English in everyday contexts; common in legal/employment contexts in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] compensate [NP] (for [NP])[NP] compensate for [NP][NP] be compensated (for [NP])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to compensate for lost time”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company will compensate customers for the delayed delivery.
Academic
The study examines how ecosystems compensate for biodiversity loss.
Everyday
I'll compensate you for the petrol money.
Technical
The engineer adjusted the system to compensate for voltage fluctuations.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The airline must compensate passengers for the cancelled flight.
- His enthusiasm compensates for his lack of experience.
American English
- The insurance will compensate you for the damage.
- She works extra hours to compensate for her late start.
adverb
British English
- She was compensatorily awarded a sum for unfair dismissal.
- The system works compensatorily to maintain balance.
American English
- The policy operates compensatorily to offset risks.
- He was compensatorily promoted after the restructuring.
adjective
British English
- The compensatory payment was received last week.
- There is a compensatory day off in lieu.
American English
- He received compensatory damages in the lawsuit.
- The compensatory education program helps struggling students.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The shop compensated me for the broken toy.
- They compensated us with vouchers after the concert was cancelled.
- Nothing can compensate for the loss of a loved one.
- The new benefits are designed to compensate employees for increased workloads.
- His sharp tactical mind compensates for his relative lack of physical strength.
- The government introduced a scheme to compensate farmers for crop failures due to extreme weather.
- The organism exhibits phenotypic plasticity to compensate for environmental stressors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'COM-PEN-SATE' as 'COME with a PEN to SETTLE' (a debt or loss).
Conceptual Metaphor
BALANCE/RESTORATION (making things even or whole again)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from 'компенсировать' in all contexts; 'compensate' is less common in casual speech than 'make up for' or 'pay back'.
- Do not confuse with 'compensate' (verb) and 'compensation' (noun) – ensure correct grammatical form.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'compensate *to* someone' (correct: 'compensate someone' or 'compensate someone *for* something').
- Using it too formally in casual contexts where 'pay back' or 'make it up to you' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'compensate' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral to formal. In very casual situations, phrases like 'pay back', 'make it up to you', or 'make up for' are often more natural.
'Reimburse' specifically means to pay back money that someone has spent. 'Compensate' is broader and can involve money, goods, or actions to make up for any kind of loss, inconvenience, or service.
Yes, when used intransitively with 'for' (e.g., 'The team must compensate for the weak defence'). It cannot stand completely alone without an object or 'for' phrase.
The main noun form is 'compensation'. The related adjective is 'compensatory'.