defray
C2Formal, Business, Financial, Academic
Definition
Meaning
to pay for something; to provide money to cover costs or expenses.
To bear or settle a cost, often as an organization or benefactor, relieving another party of the financial burden.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a formal or official covering of expenses, often by a third party. It's frequently used in contexts of business, grants, sponsorship, or institutional funding. The direct object is typically the cost or expense itself, not the recipient of the payment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more common in UK formal/business contexts.
Connotations
Both varieties carry a formal, slightly old-fashioned connotation of corporate or institutional payment.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but marginally higher in UK English in official documents.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] defray(s) [Object: cost/expense].The grant will defray the costs of the research.Funds were provided to defray expenses.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company will defray all relocation expenses for the new executive.
Academic
The scholarship is intended to defray tuition and living costs.
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation.
Technical
The grant aims to defray the capital expenditure required for the laboratory upgrade.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council agreed to defray the costs of the village hall renovation.
- His fellowship is designed to defray his living expenses while he completes his doctorate.
American English
- The foundation's grant will defray all conference expenses.
- The company policy is to defray travel and accommodation costs for interviewees.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Not typically taught at this level.
- The scholarship will help defray his university fees.
- The club used the proceeds from the raffle to defray the cost of the trip.
- The research grant is sufficient to defray all fieldwork expenses.
- We have set aside a contingency fund to defray any unexpected costs.
- The contract stipulates that the client shall defray all ancillary costs incurred during the project.
- Philanthropic donations were crucial to defray the substantial capital outlay required for the new institute.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DE (down, as in settle) + FRAY (like a 'bill' or 'fight' with costs). You 'settle the fight' with the bill by paying it.
Conceptual Metaphor
FINANCIAL BURDEN IS A WEIGHT (to defray is to lift/remove this weight from someone).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'оплатить' (to pay directly for a service/good). 'Defray' is more specific, akin to 'компенсировать расходы' or 'покрывать издержки'.
- It does not mean просто 'заплатить' (to pay); it's 'to cover *costs*'.
- Avoid using it for simple personal payments.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He defrayed the meal.' Correct: 'He defrayed the *cost* of the meal.'
- Incorrect: 'We need to defray for the tickets.' Correct: 'We need to defray the expense of the tickets.'
- Overuse in informal contexts where 'pay for' is sufficient.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'defray' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is too formal. Use 'pay for' or 'cover' instead (e.g., 'I'll pay for lunch,' not 'I'll defray lunch').
Subject + defray + the cost(s)/expense(s) [of something]. The direct object is almost always a financial burden, not a person or a tangible item.
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word primarily used in business, legal, academic, and official contexts.
'Defray' specifically means to provide money to cover or settle a *cost* or *expense*, often from an institutional source. 'Pay' is a much broader term for transferring money for any good, service, or debt.