What is payment? Pronunciation and usage in English

payment means . Learn how to pronounce and use payment through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of payment

paymentnoun

/ˈpeɪm(ə)nt/
Definition & pronunciation of payment

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "payment" in English. Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈpeɪmənť/

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. "pay": Pronounced like the word "pay" (as in, "I need to pay the bill"). Sounds like /peɪ/
  2. "ment": This is where it gets a little tricky. It's pronounced with a "t" sound at the end, but it's not a hard "t" like in "top." It's a very subtle "t" sound, almost like a quick tap of the tongue against the roof of your mouth. Sounds like /mənt/.

Putting it together: /ˈpeɪmənť/ (like "pay-men-t")

Here's a more detailed explanation and some helpful tips:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("pay"). That's why the "pay" part is emphasized.
  • The "t" sound: This is the key. Don’t overemphasize the “t” sound. It's a very light, almost clipped sound. You're not really fully articulating it.
  • Rhyme: It kind of rhymes with "beam-ment," although the "e" sound is shorter in "payment."

Resources to Hear the Pronunciation:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "payment"?

Usage and examples with the word payment in English

Let's break down how to use the word "payment" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its different uses, with examples:

1. As a Noun (the core meaning - something given to pay)

  • General Payment: This is the most common usage. It refers to money or something of value exchanged for goods or services.

    • "I made a payment on my credit card."
    • "The company accepted various forms of payment, including cash, check, and credit card."
    • "We received a payment for the completed project."
    • "I need to send a payment for the invoice."

  • Specific Payment Types:

    • Down payment: An initial sum paid when buying something large, like a house.
      • "They made a generous down payment on the new car."
    • Partial payment: A smaller payment made in addition to a larger one.
      • "He made a partial payment to cover part of the bill."
    • Final payment: The last payment to fully settle a debt.
      • “We’ll need to make a final payment to clear the account.”
    • Late payment: A payment made after the due date.
      • "There was a late payment which resulted in a fee."
    • Service payment: Payment for a service.
      • “The plumber charged $100 for the service payment.”

2. As a Verb (to pay)

  • To pay something: To give money in exchange for something.
    • "I need to pay the electricity bill."
    • "Please pay your taxes on time."
    • "She paid for dinner."
    • “He will pay for the damages he caused.”

3. Phrases Using "Payment"

  • Payment method: How you pay (e.g., credit card, PayPal, cash). “What payment methods do you accept?”
  • Payment schedule: The plan for making payments. “The payment schedule is monthly.”
  • Payment plan: A method of paying for something over time in installments. “They offered a payment plan to make the purchase more affordable.”
  • Payment due date: The date when a payment is expected. “The payment due date is November 15th.”
  • Payment receipt: A record of a payment made. “Keep a payment receipt for your records.”

4. Formal/Legal Contexts

  • Payment terms: The conditions regarding payment (e.g., when payment is due, how payment should be made). “The payment terms are net 30.”
  • Payment order: An official instruction to transfer funds.

Tips for Using "Payment" Correctly:

  • Consider the context: Think about what you're paying for and the situation.
  • Use the right tense: “I paid for the groceries” (past tense). “I will pay the bill tomorrow” (future tense). “I made a payment yesterday” (present perfect – emphasizes the result of the action).

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What context are you trying to use "payment" in? (e.g., writing an email, talking about a business transaction, describing a personal situation?)

Synonyms for the word payment

Idioms of the word payment

on payment of something
after something has been paid
  • Entry is only allowed on payment of the full registration fee.

Practice with vocabulary payment

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company issued a formal request for the overdue ______ to be processed by the end of the month.
  2. Upon completion of the project, the consultant will submit an ______ detailing all services rendered.
  3. We need to ensure that the final ______ is made on time to avoid any late fees or penalties.
  4. Employees receive a monthly ______ for their transportation costs, which is separate from their salary.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (multiple answers may be possible)

  1. Which of the following refers to the transfer of money for goods or services? a) Debt b) Transaction c) Payment d) Credit

  2. The finance department is processing all ______ for the last quarter, ensuring vendors receive their funds promptly. a) remunerations b) disbursements c) incomes d) payments

  3. To cover the unexpected expenses, the board approved an advance ______ to the project manager. a) remuneration b) installment c) payment d) deposit

  4. Which of these words would best describe money given to someone for services performed, often as a salary or wage? a) Reimbursement b) Remuneration c) Allowance d) Settlement

  5. The company provides a ______ to cover travel and accommodation costs incurred during business trips. a) stipend b) reimbursement c) remittance d) compensation

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: We have to send the money for the utility bills by Friday. Rewrite using "payment":

  2. Original: The legal team agreed to settle the dispute with a lump sum. Rewrite using a replacement word (not "payment"):

  3. Original: The customer's funds were received last week, clearing their outstanding balance. Rewrite using "payment":

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. payment
  2. invoice
  3. payment
  4. allowance

Exercise 2:

  1. b) Transaction, c) Payment
  2. b) disbursements, d) payments
  3. c) payment, d) deposit
  4. b) Remuneration
  5. b) reimbursement

Exercise 3:

  1. We have to make the payment for the utility bills by Friday.
  2. The legal team agreed to resolve the dispute with a lump-sum settlement.
  3. The customer's payment was received last week, clearing their outstanding balance.

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