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Definition of defray

defray

/dɪˈfreɪ/
de · fray
Adjective:defrayable
•
Past Simple:defrayed
•
Past Participle:defrayed
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Present Participle:defraying
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defray Lexical Profile

defray Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To provide money to pay (a cost, charge, or expense), either in full or in part.

Example

"The university offered a generous travel grant to help defray the costs of attending the international conference."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for defray
Antonyms
View all antonyms for defray

Word Nuance & Usage

The direct object of 'defray' must be a cost, charge, or expense itself (e.g., 'defray the expenses'), never the person being paid or the item being purchased.

• Rhymes for defray

• Nearby Words

defragmenter
defraud
defrauder
defray
defreeze
defriend
defrock

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Middle French desfrayer, from Old French de- ('out, away') and frai ('cost, expense'), ultimately from Late Latin fredum ('a fine paid for a breach of the peace'), which is of Germanic origin.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Defray. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/defray
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