WordGarden.iopayable
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈeɪəbəl/
US
- /ˈpeɪəbəl/
Meanings
Adjective
due to be paid
Noun
an amount owed, especially in accounting
Beyond the definition
Something is payable when money must be paid for it, or when money should be paid to someone. You might see that a bill is now payable, which means the time has come to pay it. In other cases, a check may be payable to a person or business, which shows who should receive the money. The word is common in financial and legal writing, especially with bills, loans, checks, taxes, and contracts. If something becomes payable, the payment is now due.
The word payable is used when money must be paid, or when money is meant to be paid to a particular person or business. It often appears in financial and legal settings, where the timing, amount, or receiver of a payment needs to be stated clearly.
Think about your monthly bills: the amount on each bill is payable by a certain date. A loan agreement may say how much is payable over time, including interest. Taxes, fees, wages, and insurance claims can also be described this way when the money is due. A check can be made payable to a named person or company, showing who should receive the funds.
The term is not limited to immediate payment. Something can be "payable on demand," meaning it must be paid when the person owed asks for it. It can also be "payable in installments," with the total split into smaller payments over time. In older banking or trade language, you may also see "payable at sight," which means payment is expected as soon as the document is presented.
In essence, payable is a useful word for talking about money that is due, money that must be given, or money that is directed to someone. It helps explain debts, bills, contracts, checks, and many other situations involving payment.
Examples
- 1
Rent due date
The rent is payable on the first day of each month.
- 2
Invoice terms
The invoice is payable within 30 days.
- 3
Check recipient
Please make the check payable to Green Valley School.
- Patternpayable to + person/organization
written so that person or organization receives the money
- 4
Advance payment
The course fee is payable in advance.
- Phrasepayable in advance
paid before the service begins
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Customer charge
A small service charge is payable by the customer.
- 6
Bill total
The amount payable is shown at the bottom of the bill.
- 7
Accounting department
She works in accounts payable at a manufacturing company.
- Domainaccounts payable
the part of a business that handles money owed to suppliers
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- payableadjectivenoun