return
gb/ɹɪtˈɚn/ us/ɹɪtˈɚn/
A2
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Come or go back
To go back to a place you were before.
Usage pattern:
to return to [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'return' with 'come back' and 'go back'. 'Return' is more formal and often used in writing.
Synonyms
come back (More informal and usually used for shorter distances or time away.)
Antonyms
leave (Means to go away from a place, the opposite of coming back.)
Collocations
return home
|return to work
|return from vacation
|return to school
Themes
daily life
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She returned to her hometown after many years abroad.
- Please return to your seat after the break.
- He returned from his trip yesterday.
- The soldiers returned to base at night.
Learner examples
- I return home at 6 p.m.
- She returns to school in September.
- We return from the park at noon.
- They return to work after lunch.
Verb
A2
action
2
Give something back
To give something back to the person or place it came from.
Usage pattern:
to return [something] to [someone/place]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'return' with 'refund'. A 'refund' is money you get back; 'return' is giving the item back.
Synonyms
give back (More informal and direct; less formal than 'return'.)
Antonyms
keep (Means to not give something back.)
Collocations
return a book
|return goods
|return a call
|return borrowed items
Themes
daily life
|commerce
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I must return these library books by Friday.
- She returned the shoes because they didn't fit.
- Please return the form to the office.
- He returned my pen after using it.
Learner examples
- I return the book to the library.
- She returns the keys to him.
- We return the plate to the kitchen.
- They return the ball to the other team.
Noun
B1
event
3
Act of coming back
The act of going or coming back somewhere.
Synonyms
comeback (Informal; often used for people becoming popular again, not just physically returning.)
Antonyms
departure (The act of leaving a place, opposite of returning.)
Collocations
on his return
|return journey
|safe return
|return home
Themes
daily life
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We celebrated her safe return from the mountains.
- On his return, he found everything had changed.
- The return journey took longer than expected.
- Her return was a surprise to everyone.
Learner examples
- We wait for her return.
- His return was happy.
- They have a safe return.
- I hope for your quick return.
Noun
B1
entity
4
Item given back
Something you give back to a shop or person because you don't want it or it is wrong.
Synonyms
refund item (Focuses on the money aspect rather than the object itself.)
Antonyms
purchase (Acquiring an item rather than giving it back.)
Collocations
make a return
|process a return
|accept returns
|online returns
Themes
commerce
|business
|daily_life
Examples
- The store allows returns within 30 days.
- We processed your return this morning.
- She made a return because the dress was too small.
- Returns must be in their original packaging.
Learner examples
- The shop takes returns.
- I make a return of this shirt.
- They do not allow returns.
- He brings his return to the counter.
Noun
B2
entity
5
Profit from investment
The money you get from putting money into something or working on it.
Synonyms
yield ('Yield' is more technical, especially in finance and agriculture.)
Antonyms
loss (Means losing money instead of gaining it.)
Collocations
high return
|return on investment
|expected return
|annual return
Themes
business
|finance
Examples
- The project gave a high return on investment.
- Investors expect good returns this year.
- Our advertising campaign brought little return.
- He calculated the annual return on his shares.
Learner examples
- This bank gives a good return.
- I want a high return for my money.
- We see no return from this work.
- The return on this is small.
Grammar
Dictionary form
return
IPA
GB/ɹɪtˈɚn/
US/ɹɪtˈɚn/
Syllables & stress
re - turn (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (turn)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: return
- Plural: return, returns
Verb
- Base: return
- 3rd Person Singular: returns
- Present Participle: returning
- Past: returned
Word family
Forms
returns
noun
returning
verb
returned
verb
Related words
returnable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
non-returnable
adjective
Advanced or less common
returnee
noun
Expressions
in return (for)
1/ˈɪn ɹɪtˈɚn fɚ/
fixed phrase
As payment or reward for something
As payment, reward, or reaction for something that someone did or gave you.
Examples
- He offered his advice, and in return I helped him move house.
- She gave him her old phone in return for some help with her computer.
return to form
1/ɹɪtˈɚn tə fˈɔɹm/
fixed phrase
Regain previous quality or skill level
To become as good as you were before after being worse for some time.
Examples
- After a poor season, the team has returned to form.
- Her latest novel marks a return to form.
return the favor
1/ɹɪtˈɚn ðə fˈeɪvɚ/
fixed phrase
Do something kind in response
To do something good for someone because they did something good for you before.
Examples
- She helped me last year, so I wanted to return the favor.
- Thanks for your help—I hope I can return the favor someday.
- He bought me lunch, and I returned the favor by driving him home.
- She cooked dinner to return the favor after he helped her move.
- He offered to babysit to return the favor.