paid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Neutral (used across all registers from informal to formal)
Quick answer
What does “paid” mean?
The past tense and past participle of 'pay', meaning to have given money in exchange for goods, services, or to settle a debt.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The past tense and past participle of 'pay', meaning to have given money in exchange for goods, services, or to settle a debt.
Can also describe a state of having settled an obligation (e.g., paid leave), or figuratively, having yielded a beneficial result (e.g., paid off).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Minor spelling preferences in compounds (e.g., 'pay cheque' UK vs. 'paycheck' US).
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “paid” in a Sentence
[Subject] paid [Recipient] [Sum] for [Object/Service].[Subject] paid [Sum] for [Object/Service].[Subject] paid [Recipient].[Subject] paid for [Object/Service].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “paid” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She paid the plumber fifty quid for the repair.
- Have you paid the council tax yet?
American English
- He paid the contractor cash for the job.
- I already paid my cell phone bill.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Essential for invoices, salaries, and transactions (e.g., 'The invoice was paid last week').
Academic
Used in economics, sociology (e.g., 'paid employment rates').
Everyday
Ubiquitous in daily transactions and discussions about work.
Technical
In law: 'paid consideration'; in accounting: 'paid-in capital'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “paid”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “paid”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “paid”
- Using 'payed' for financial transactions (incorrect).
- Using present tense 'pay' when past is needed (e.g., 'I pay yesterday').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
For giving money, always use 'paid'. 'Payed' is a rare, specific term for letting out rope or sealing ship seams.
Yes, commonly. E.g., 'a paid member', 'paid vacation'.
'Paid' means money has been given. 'Payable' means money is due to be given.
In American English, they are often interchangeable for simple past events. In British English, the present perfect ('have paid') is preferred for recent, relevant past actions.
The past tense and past participle of 'pay', meaning to have given money in exchange for goods, services, or to settle a debt.
Paid is usually neutral (used across all registers from informal to formal) in register.
Paid: in British English it is pronounced /peɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /peɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Paid your dues”
- “Put paid to something”
- “The devil to pay”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'I' in 'paid' as the person receiving the money. 'I got paid.'
Conceptual Metaphor
SETTLEMENT IS CLEAN SLATE (e.g., 'All debts are paid').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'paid' correctly?