Paid – Definition and Part of Speech
Paid is primarily used as both a past tense verb and a past participle adjective in English. As a verb, “paid” indicates the act of giving or receiving money for services, goods, or other obligations fulfilled. It stems from the infinitive form “pay.” When used adjectivally, “paid” describes something related to payment, like “a paid position.”
Core Synonyms
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compensated | Given money for services or goods, often implying fairness or reward. | “She was well compensated for her extensive work.” | Formal/Business |
| Remunerated | Similar to “compensated,” but more formal and commonly used in professional contexts. | “The consultants were remunerated for their expert advice.” | Professional/Corporate |
| Disbursed | Specifically refers to the act of distributing payments, especially from a common fund. | “Funds were disbursed to the various departments as per the budget plan.” | Business/Formal |
| Settled | Indicates completion of payment or resolution of a debt or obligation. | “The bill was settled promptly after dining.” | Informal/General |
| Reimbursed | Refers specifically to repayment, often by an employer for expenses incurred. | “He was reimbursed for the travel costs he had accrued on business trips.” | Business/Formal |
Usage Notes
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Compensated: Best used in contexts where fairness or reward is highlighted, such as salary discussions or job descriptions.
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Remunerated: Ideal for professional settings, especially when discussing salaries, consultant fees, or any form of official payment for services.
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Disbursed: Suitable for financial and business environments to denote the distribution of money from a central source to various recipients. It often implies systematic or planned allocation.
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Settled: More casual than its counterparts, “settled” is versatile and can refer to paying bills, resolving debts, or even reaching agreements beyond just monetary transactions.
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Reimbursed: Frequently used in work environments when referring back payments for expenses incurred while performing duties. It’s particularly common in discussions involving company reimbursements.
Common Pitfalls
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Confusion between “paid” and “settled”: While they often mean similar things, “settled” can extend beyond financial transactions to include resolving disputes or agreements.
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Misunderstanding the formality of synonyms: For example, using “remunerated” in casual conversation might come across as overly formal or out of place.
Final Recap
In summary, while “paid” is a versatile word used across various contexts to describe completed financial transactions, its synonyms like “compensated,” “remunerated,” “disbursed,” “settled,” and “reimbursed” offer nuanced alternatives depending on the context. Each synonym can bring slight shifts in meaning, formality, or specificity, making them useful tools for precise communication.
To effectively enhance your vocabulary, try crafting sentences using these synonyms based on different scenarios—professional settings, casual conversations, or even fictional storytelling. Practice will solidify your understanding and ability to choose the most appropriate word for any situation.