refund

1 of 3

verb (1)

re·​fund ri-ˈfənd How to pronounce refund (audio) ˈrē-ˌfənd How to pronounce refund (audio)
refunded; refunding; refunds
Synonyms of refund

transitive verb

1
: to give or put back
2
: to return (money) in restitution, repayment, or balancing of accounts
refundability
ri-ˌfən-də-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce refund (audio)
(ˌ)rē-
noun
refundable
ri-ˈfən-də-bəl How to pronounce refund (audio)
(ˌ)rē-
adjective

refund

2 of 3

noun

re·​fund ˈrē-ˌfənd How to pronounce refund (audio)
1
: the act of refunding
2
: a sum refunded

refund

3 of 3

verb (2)

re·​fund (ˌ)rē-ˈfənd How to pronounce refund (audio)
refunded; refunding; refunds

transitive verb

: to fund again

Synonyms of refund

Relevance

Verb (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of refund in a Sentence

Verb (1) will refund you your money Noun No refunds or exchanges are allowed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
One of China’s biggest restaurant chains has promised to refund thousands of customers after footage of a patron urinating into a simmering hotpot went viral online, triggering a public outcry. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 Below is a list of which companies have received tariff refunds thus far, and the dollar amount refunded. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
Rouser said financial-aid counselors talk with students about borrowing responsibly and, when appropriate, using student-loan refunds to cover expenses beyond what the university bills them for. — Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026 If a customer received bad produce, West told them to bring it back for an exchange or refund. — Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for refund

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English refounden, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French refunder, from Latin refundere, literally, to pour back, from re- + fundere to pour — more at found

Verb (2)

re- + fund entry 2

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of refund was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing refund

Rhymes for refund

See All Rhymes for refund

Browse Nearby Words

refulgent
refund
refundable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Refund.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refund. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

refund

1 of 3 verb
re·​fund ri-ˈfənd How to pronounce refund (audio)
ˈrē-ˌfənd
: to return money in repayment
refundable
-ə-bəl How to pronounce refund (audio)
adjective

refund

2 of 3 noun
re·​fund ˈrē-ˌfənd How to pronounce refund (audio)
1
: the act of refunding
2
: an amount of money refunded

refund

3 of 3 verb
re·​fund (ˈ)rē-ˈfənd How to pronounce refund (audio)
: to fund a debt again
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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