return

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /rɪˈtɜːn/, SAMPA: /rI"t3:n/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /rɪˈtɝn/, SAMPA: /rI"t3`n/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form return

Third-person singular returns

Past tense returned

Past participle returned

Present participle returning

1. (transitive) When you return something, you give/put it back.

   He returned the lawnmower back to John.

2. (intransitive) When you return to something or somewhere, you go/come back to it.

   He returned to China after his trip to Germany.

   The main theme of the symphony's first movement returns in the last movement.

   I've just returned from class, but I'll be leaving again soon.

3. (intransitive) If a feeling, problem, thought, etc. returns, it comes back.

   I thought I was better, but the pain in my back has returned.

4. (intransitive) If you return to an activity, you start it again.
5. (transitive) If you return an act, you do the same act to the person who did it first.

   She turned her eyes towards him and he returned her her look.

6. (transitive) If you return a ball in sports, you hit it back to the other player.

   He was unable to return serves all through the match.

7. (transitive) If you return a profit or loss in business, you make it.
8. (transitive) If you return something to a particular state, you make it that way again.

   We need to return the earth to a more healthy state.

Related words

• unreturned
• returning
• returner
• returnee
• returnable

Noun

Singular return

Plural returns

the return key (in green)

1. (countable) Somebody's return is when they come back.

   They've planned a celebration for my return home.

2. (countable) Something's return is when it is given back.
3. (countable) A return is something that was bought but has to be taken back to the store, usually because it is broken.

   This store does not allow returns unless the customer has a receipt.

4. (countable) The return of something to a particular state is the change back to that state.
5. (countable) Someone's return to an activity is their restarting of the activity.
6. (countable) The return on money is the amount or percent of profit earned on it.
7. (uncountable) If you do something in return for something else, you do it to thank or pay back somebody; you make things balanced again.
8. (countable) The return of a feeling, problem, thought, etc. is when it comes back.
9. Return is a key on a computer keyboard that puts the cursor back at the beginning of a line.
10. (uncountable) A return is a form that you send to the government telling it about your income, your household, etc.
11. (usually plural) The returns in an election are the number of votes.
12. (uncountable) A return is a ticket that takes you where you want to go and back home again.

Synonyms

• enter
• round trip