Payoff Definition and Meaning
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Published on May 8, 2024
Payoff is the final result or reward of an action or a series of actions, often with positive implications. e.g., The payoff for all his hard work was a promotion.
Table of Contents
Payoff Definitions
The resolution or outcome of a complex situation or plot.
The payoff of the movie was both surprising and satisfying.
The return on an investment or bet.
The payoff from the stock market this year was substantial.
The act of paying off a debt in full.
She felt relieved after the payoff of her student loans.
A gratifying result after a period of uncertainty.
After months of hard work, the payoff was his acceptance into a top university.
The discharge of an obligation or settlement of an account.
The final payoff of the mortgage was a momentous occasion for the family.
The benefit or reward that results from some action or effort.
The payoff of her investment was higher than expected.
Money received at the end of a job or task.
The payoff for the freelance work was higher than he had initially quoted.
The final result of a mathematical or computational process.
The payoff matrix in the game theory model showed possible outcomes.
The return on an investment.
The discharge of a debt or obligation.
The benefit gained as the result of a previous action.
The climax of a narrative or sequence of events.
An amount paid to a plaintiff to settle a lawsuit out of court.
A bribe.
Alternative spelling of pay-off
Profit or gain from an action; - used broadly; as, lots of effort with little payoff.
Retribution, payback.
The act of giving or receiving money or other valuable consideration as a bribe.
The money or item given as a bribe.
Same as compensation 2.
The climax or final result of an event or endeavor; the denoument of a narrative.
The final payment of a debt
Payment made to a person in a position of trust to corrupt his judgment
The income arising from land or other property;
The average return was about 5%
A recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing;
The wages of sin is death
Virtue is its own reward
A bribe or illicit payment made to influence someone's actions.
He was accused of accepting a payoff to alter the competition results.
The point at which an investment recovers its initial cost.
The business reached its payoff point within the first year.
Payoff Snonyms
Result
A consequence, effect, or outcome of something.
The result of the experiment was published in a well-known journal.
Return
The profit made on an investment.
The return on his latest investment exceeded all projections.
Settlement
An official agreement intended to resolve a dispute or conflict.
The settlement between the two parties was reached after intensive discussions.
Dividend
A sum of money paid regularly by a company to its shareholders out of its profits.
This year's dividend was higher due to increased profits.
Reward
Something given in recognition of service, effort, or achievement.
The reward for completing the project was a week off work.
Outcome
The way a thing turns out; a consequence.
The outcome of the negotiations determined the company's future.
Recompense
Compensation or reward given for loss or harm suffered or effort made.
The recompense for his hours of overtime was quite generous.
Profit
A financial gain, especially the difference between the amount earned and the amount spent.
The profit from the sale was used to fund their next project.
Resolution
A firm decision to do or not to do something.
His resolution to change careers paid off within a year.
Earnings
Money obtained in return for labor or services.
His earnings from the consultancy role enabled him to travel extensively.
Payoff Idioms & Phrases
Big payoff
A large reward or result, especially after considerable effort.
The big payoff for his years of study was a prestigious job.
Payoff table
A table showing outcomes associated with each choice in decision-making.
The business analyst created a payoff table to evaluate investment options.
Get your payoff
To receive what one has earned or deserved.
After years of hard work, he finally got his payoff.
Final payoff
The ultimate result or conclusion of an effort or series of actions.
The final payoff of the renovation was a beautiful home.
Payoff moment
The critical or decisive time when results are revealed.
The payoff moment in the presentation was the unveiling of the new product.
Payoff for hard work
The good results that follow diligent effort.
The payoff for hard work was evident in her excellent grades.
Worth the payoff
Worth the effort or cost due to the positive outcome.
The extensive training was tough but worth the payoff.
Surprise payoff
An unexpected but positive outcome.
The surprise payoff of the risky business move was a huge market share gain.
Expecting a payoff
Anticipating a reward or return from an investment or effort.
They were expecting a payoff after investing heavily in the new venture.
Illegal payoff
An unlawful or unethical payment, especially a bribe.
The official was caught accepting an illegal payoff.
Achieve a payoff
Successfully receive or attain the desired result.
She achieved a payoff beyond her expectations with her art show.
Long-term payoff
Benefits or results that accrue over a long period.
Investing in education has a long-term payoff.
Short-term payoff
Immediate but potentially temporary benefits.
They opted for a solution that promised a short-term payoff.
Delay the payoff
Postpone the results or rewards.
The company decided to delay the payoff of bonuses due to financial constraints.
Guaranteed payoff
A result or reward that is assured or certain.
The guaranteed payoff of the contract gave them financial security.
Negotiate a payoff
To arrange a settlement or final amount.
They had to negotiate a payoff when dissolving the partnership.
Deserve a payoff
To merit a reward or result based on actions or efforts.
She deserved a payoff after dedicating so much to the community.
Payoff pitch
In baseball, a critical pitch where the outcome could decide the game.
The pitcher threw a payoff pitch that ended the game.
Calculate the payoff
Determine the expected result or benefit.
They needed to calculate the payoff before committing to the project.
Maximize the payoff
To increase the benefit or result as much as possible.
They redesigned the process to maximize the payoff.
Payoff Example Sentences
The payoff from the deal was significantly higher than anticipated.
She was looking forward to the payoff from her new fitness routine.
The payoff from their collaboration was a successful product launch.
He calculated the payoff of the investment before proceeding.
They discussed the payoff of pursuing an advanced degree.
Her payoff for participating in the research was very enlightening.
The team experienced a great payoff after months of hard work.
She received a payoff after the lawsuit was settled.
They celebrated the payoff of their efforts with a team dinner.
The payoff for his patience was a well-behaved puppy.
He kept the payoff from his side job in a savings account.
The payoff of the new policy was a more motivated workforce.
The payoff of the strategic changes was evident in the improved performance.
The payoff of the new technology was increased efficiency.
The payoff for his years of service was a generous retirement package.
Common Curiosities
How many syllables are in payoff?
Payoff has two syllables.
How do we divide payoff into syllables?
Payoff is divided into syllables as: pay-off.
How is payoff used in a sentence?
Payoff is typically used to refer to the results or rewards of an action, e.g., The payoff of the marketing campaign was an increase in sales.
What is the verb form of payoff?
The verb form of payoff is "pay off", as in "to pay off a debt".
What is the pronunciation of payoff?
Payoff is pronounced as /ˈpeɪ.ɒf/.
What is the second form of payoff?
The second form of payoff is "paid", as in the past tense of pay.
What is the singular form of payoff?
The singular form is "payoff".
Why is it called payoff?
The term "payoff" is called so because it denotes the act of paying off, either literally as in debts or metaphorically as in efforts resulting in a reward.
What is another term for payoff?
Another term for payoff is "reward".
What is a stressed syllable in payoff?
The stressed syllable in "payoff" is the first syllable: "pay".
What is the third form of payoff?
The third form of payoff is also "paid".
Is payoff a collective noun?
No, payoff is not typically considered a collective noun.
Which vowel is used before payoff?
Typically, the vowel "a" is used before payoff, as in "a payoff".
What is the root word of payoff?
The root word of "payoff" is "pay", derived from the Old French "payer", meaning to pay.
What is the first form of payoff?
The first form of payoff is "pay", as in the action of paying.
Is payoff an abstract noun?
Yes, payoff can be considered an abstract noun as it refers to outcomes or results which are intangible.
Is payoff a negative or positive word?
Payoff is generally a positive word; however, it can be neutral or negative depending on the context.
Is payoff a countable noun?
Yes, payoff is a countable noun.
Which determiner is used with payoff?
Determiners such as "a", "the", or "your" can be used with payoff, e.g., "a large payoff."
What is the plural form of payoff?
The plural form is "payoffs".
Is payoff a noun or adjective?
Payoff is primarily a noun.
Is payoff a vowel or consonant?
Payoff starts with a consonant.
Is the payoff term a metaphor?
The term can be used metaphorically, especially in contexts like business or personal achievements, to describe benefits derived from various efforts.
Is the word payoff a Gerund?
No, payoff is not a gerund; its gerund form would be "paying off" when using its verb form.
Which conjunction is used with payoff?
Conjunctions like "and", "or", and "but" can be used, e.g., "payoff and consequences."
Is payoff an adverb?
No, payoff is not an adverb.
Is the word payoff imperative?
The word payoff itself is not imperative; however, its verb form "pay off" can be used imperatively, e.g., "Pay off your debts!"
Is the word “payoff” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Payoff" can be a direct object in sentences where it refers to something received, e.g., "He received a large payoff."
What part of speech is payoff?
Payoff is primarily a noun.
What is the opposite of payoff?
The opposite of payoff might be considered "loss" or "penalty".
Which preposition is used with payoff?
Common prepositions used with payoff include "from" and "of", e.g., "payoff from a deal" or "payoff of the effort."
Which article is used with payoff?
The indefinite article "a" or the definite article "the" can be used with payoff, depending on the context, e.g., "a payoff" or "the payoff".
Share Your Discovery
Previous Term
Look Definition and Meaning
Next Term
Modeled Definition and MeaningAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
