payable

adjective

pay·​able ˈpā-ə-bəl 

1

: that may, can, or must be paid

2

: profitable

Synonyms of payable

• unpaid
• outstanding

Examples of payable in a Sentence

She charges her patients $3,000, payable in installments.

keep the bills payable separate from the receipts

Recent Examples on the Web

Spinnova’s initial purchase valuation for Tearfil is 500,000 euros—about $567,000—payable in cash and Spinnova shares. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Under the agreement, Drake Ventures will receive a $65,000 monthly retainer, payable in quarterly installments of $195,000, amounting to $780,000 a year. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026

Zakat, for instance, is payable to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the country’s largest Muslim lobbying group. — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2026

By the Successor Trustee’s own calculation, at least $558,000 became due and payable to him that day. — Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing payable

• account payable

Rhymes for payable

• playable
• repayable

Kids Definition

payable

adjective

pay·​able ˈpā-ə-bəl 

: that may, can, or must be paid

accounts payable

Legal Definition

payable

adjective

pay·​able

: that may, can, or must be paid