What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pay
Example
I need to pay the rent by the end of the month. [pay: verb]
Example
The company offers competitive pay for its employees. [pay: noun]
Example
I'll pay you back as soon as I can. [pay: phrasal verb]
remunerate
Example
The company will remunerate its employees for overtime work. [remunerate: verb]
Example
The organization remunerated the volunteers for their time and effort. [remunerated: past tense]
Example
The insurance company remunerated the policyholder for the damages caused by the accident. [remunerated: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pay is more common and versatile than remunerate, and is used in everyday language for a wide range of financial transactions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pay and remunerate?
Pay is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while remunerate is more formal and typically used in professional or legal contexts.
