What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reimburse
Example
The company will reimburse you for any travel expenses related to the conference. [reimburse: verb]
Example
I submitted my receipts to be reimbursed for the cost of the hotel room. [reimbursed: past participle]
compensate
Example
The company compensated the employees for the overtime they worked during the busy season. [compensated: past tense]
Example
The insurance company will compensate you for the damages to your car. [compensate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Compensate is more commonly used than reimburse in everyday language. Compensate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while reimburse is less common and is typically used in financial or business contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reimburse and compensate?
Both reimburse and compensate can be used in formal and informal contexts, but reimburse is more likely to be used in formal or business settings due to its specific financial connotation.
