WordGarden.iopayoff
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈeɪɒf/
US
- /ˈpeɪˌɔf/
Meanings
Noun
the reward, benefit, or useful result that comes from effort, risk, or patience
money received or paid out as a return, prize, or final settlement
a secret or dishonest payment given as a bribe
More meaningsFewer meanings
the reveal, line, or ending that rewards earlier setup in a story or joke
Beyond the definition
This word is not always about money. Very often, it means the good result you get after effort, time, or risk, like the feeling after finishing a hard project or the benefit of regular exercise. In stories, it is the moment when an earlier detail finally leads to something satisfying or important. It can also mean a real reward, such as a bonus for good work. But it has a darker side too: it may refer to a bribe paid to influence someone or keep them quiet.
The word "payoff" has several common uses, and the context usually makes the meaning clear. Most often, it means the result or reward that comes after effort, waiting, cost, or risk. The payoff from months of study may be a strong exam score. The payoff from careful training may be better health or better performance. In this sense, the word often suggests that the effort was worth it.
It is also common in stories, jokes, films, and speeches. There, a payoff is the moment when something set up earlier finally leads to a meaningful, funny, or satisfying result. A small detail in the first chapter may have a big payoff at the end. A joke may build tension and then deliver its payoff in the last line. This meaning is about resolution and effect.
In another sense, "payoff" can mean a bribe or other secret payment made to influence someone's actions. In that use, the word has a clearly negative tone and is often connected with crime, corruption, or dishonesty.
There is also a financial meaning. A payoff can be the final amount needed to clear a debt, loan, or mortgage completely. So the word may point to a happy result, a story's reward, a dishonest payment, or the full settlement of money owed.
Examples
- 1
Practice result
After months of practice, the payoff was clear: she played the piece with confidence.
- 2
Job benefits
The job is stressful, but the payoff is a flexible schedule and good pay.
- 3
Delayed benefit
There is no immediate payoff for exercising once, but the benefits build over time.
- 4
Language learning
The biggest payoff from learning Spanish was being able to talk with her grandparents.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Story ending
The movie starts slowly, but the final scene gives the story a strong emotional payoff.
- Phraseemotional payoff
a satisfying feeling at the end of a story, scene, or experience
- 6
Joke structure
The joke had a long setup, but the payoff was worth it.
- 7
Loan closing
Ask the bank for the exact payoff amount before you close the loan.
- Domainpayoff amount
the money needed to completely finish paying a loan
- 8
Corruption
Several officials were accused of taking payoffs from the company.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- payoffnoun
Forms
- payoffspluralnoun