Return - definition, pronunciation, transcription
noun ↓
- a coming to or returning home (syn: homecoming)
- the occurrence of a change in direction back in the opposite direction
- getting something back again (syn: restitution, restoration)
- the act of going back to a prior location
- happening again (especially at regular intervals) (syn: recurrence)
- a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one) (syn: comeback, counter, rejoinder, replication, retort, riposte)
- the key on electric typewriters or computer keyboards that causes a carriage return and a line feed
- a reciprocal group action
- a tennis stroke that sends the ball back to the other player
- (American football) the act of running back the ball after a kickoff or punt or interception or fumble
- the act of someone appearing again
verb ↓
- give back (syn: render)
- go back to a previous state (syn: regress, retrovert, revert, turn back)
- go back to something earlier (syn: come back, hark back, recall)
- bring back to the point of departure (syn: bring back)
- make a return
- answer back (syn: come back, rejoin, repay, retort, riposte)
- be restored (syn: come back)
- pay back (syn: give back, refund, repay)
- pass down (syn: deliver, render)
- elect again
- be inherited by (syn: devolve, fall, pass)
- return to a previous position; in mathematics
- give or supply (syn: generate, give, render, yield)
- submit (a report, etc.) to someone in authority
Examples
We waited for you to return.
She is returning home tomorrow.
I'm leaving but will return at 2 p.m.
I have to return a book to the library.
I'm returning your ladder. Thanks for letting me borrow it.
The dishes were broken when they were delivered, so I had to return them.
I had to return the shirt and get a bigger size.
His jealousy returned when he saw his ex-wife with her new husband.
We are looking forward to your return.
We're looking forward to our return to Europe.
The team looked forward to his return to coaching.
A return to the old ways of farming
The department's return to normal
The people celebrated their leader's return to power.
When I return from the coast, I shall bring good news.
Word forms
I/you/we/they: return
he/she/it: returns
present participle: returning
past tense: returned
past participle: returned
singular: return
plural: returns