payable

/ˈpeɪəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpeɪəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpā-ə-bəl/ (ame, mw)

payable — adjective

  • payablepositive
  • more payablecomparative
  • most payablesuperlative

1. used for money or costs someone has to pay, often by a certain time

1.形容詞C1
釋義

used for money or costs someone has to pay, often by a certain time

例句

The first month's rent is payable before you collect the keys.

rent payable before + event

Any tax payable on the prize will come from your winnings.

tax payable on + amount

同義詞
  • due

    the broad everyday word for something that should be paid at a certain time

  • owing

    focuses on money that has not yet been paid

  • outstanding

    often used for unpaid amounts that remain on an account

  • billable

    different in meaning; used for costs or hours that can be charged to a customer

反義詞
  • paid

    already settled, with no money left to pay

  • free

    not requiring payment

文法句型

rent payable before + event

balance payable within + period

costs payable by + payer

用法筆記

Common in contracts, bills, tax notices, and other formal documents. Usually follows the noun it describes, and often adds a time phrase or a by-phrase naming who must pay. Distinguish from sense 2, which names the receiver on a cheque.

常見錯誤

❌The fee is payable by 30 days.
✅The fee is payable within 30 days.
💡Use within for a period of time; by is used with a deadline date or a payer.
❌I am payable the school today.
✅I am paying the school today.
💡Payable describes the money or charge, not the person who pays.

2. used on a cheque or similar document to show which person or organization is mea

2.形容詞C1
釋義

used on a cheque or similar document to show which person or organization is meant to receive the money

例句

Please make the cheque payable to Green Hill School.

make the cheque payable to + receiver

The refund cheque was payable to Marcus, not to his father.

be payable to + named person

同義詞
  • made out to

    common in everyday banking English for the name written as the receiver

  • written to

    a plain informal way to describe the same cheque detail

  • issued to

    slightly broader and more official; can be used beyond cheques

文法句型

make the cheque payable to + person

be payable to + organization

用法筆記

Almost always appears with to plus the name of a person or organization, especially after cheque, draft, or order. Distinguish from sense 1, where payable describes money that must be paid rather than the named receiver.

常見錯誤

❌Please write the cheque payable for City Aid.
✅Please write the cheque payable to City Aid.
💡This pattern takes to before the receiver.
❌The cheque is payable by Marcus.
✅The cheque is payable to Marcus.
💡In this sense, to names who receives the money; by is used for the payer in sense 1.