payoff

[pey-awf, -of]

noun

1. the payment of a salary, debt, wager, etc.

2. the time at which such payment is made.

3. the consequence, outcome, or final sequence in a series of events, actions, or circumstances.

   The payoff was when they fired him.

   Synonyms: finale, upshot, climax

4. Informal.,  the climax of something, especially a story or joke.

5. a settlement or reckoning, as in retribution or reward.

6. Informal.,  a bribe.

adjective

1. yielding results, especially rewarding or decisive results.

   The payoff play was the long pass into the end zone.

verb phrase

1. 1. to pay (someone) everything that is due that person, especially to do so and discharge from one's employ.

   2. to pay (a debt) in full.

   3. Informal.,  to bribe.

   4. to retaliate upon or punish; pay back.

   5. to result in success or failure.

      The risk paid off handsomely.

   6. Nautical.,  to fall off to leeward.

Word History and Origins

Origin of payoff¹

First recorded in 1910–15; noun, adjective use of verb phrase pay off

Example Sentences

Sweeney’s impeccable screenplay accounts for these seemingly inadvertent details to later bloom into meaningful narrative payoffs.

From Los Angeles Times

Such a blatant link between a major exhibit and a large financial contribution looked like a payoff.

From Los Angeles Times

No matter what was said about him or the motives behind his move, he’s about to experience what could be the big payoff.

From Los Angeles Times

The expected payoff from the next high school class is more than a decent season ending in a bowl game; the Bruins are vying for something unprecedented.

From Los Angeles Times

When we finally discover how Amélie has managed to get the shots, it’s a good payoff.

From Salon

Related Words

• consequence 
• outcome 
• payment 
• reward 
• settlement