View synonyms for

payoff

[ pey-awf, -of ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the payment of a salary, debt, wager, etc.
the time at which such payment is made.
the consequence, outcome, or final sequence in a series of events, actions, or circumstances:
The payoff was when they fired him.
Synonyms: , ,
Informal. the climax of something, especially a story or joke.
a settlement or reckoning, as in retribution or reward.
Informal. a bribe.

adjective

yielding results, especially rewarding or decisive results:
The payoff play was the long pass into the end zone.

verb phrase

1. to pay (someone) everything that is due that person, especially to do so and discharge from one's employ.
2. to pay (a debt) in full.
3. Informal. to bribe.
4. to retaliate upon or punish; pay back.
5. to result in success or failure:
  The risk paid off handsomely.
6. Nautical. to fall off to leeward.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of payoff¹

First recorded in 1910–15; noun, adjective use of verb phrase pay off

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Board members are cognizant that a huge settlement could be viewed as something of a payoff to the president to move the Skydance merger over the finish line, knowledgeable sources have said.

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The payoff for companies using platforms like Bugcrowd is also clear.

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Hoffman speculates that Aimee might have taken a nod from them, however, possibly resorting to payoffs in order to get free of her legal problems.

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Court intrigue within this floral-laden setting sets up a later payoff when the senator becomes who she’s meant to be.

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If a financial expert’s recommended debt payoff method or aggressive retirement savings puts a strain on your monthly resources, for example, you can adjust those goals to create more room for spending and commitments.

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Related Words

paynim pay off

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