What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
repay
Example
I will repay you the money I borrowed next week. [repay: verb]
Example
She repaid his kindness by helping him with his project. [repaid: past tense]
refund
Example
The store offered a full refund for the damaged product. [refund: noun]
Example
They refunded my money after I canceled my flight. [refunded: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Refund is more commonly used than repay in everyday language, especially in consumer contexts. Refund is a common term used in retail, e-commerce, and service industries. On the other hand, repay is less common and is mostly used in financial or personal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between repay and refund?
Repay is more formal than refund and is often used in financial or legal contexts. Refund is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.