Meaning & use
a refundable deposit
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
A sum of money paid in advance that is returned when certain conditions are met, such as returning an item undamaged.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a refundable deposit' or 'refundable deposits'. Often followed by 'on' or 'for': a deposit on the flat.
Patterns
- pay a refundable deposit
- a refundable deposit on something
- a refundable deposit of £/€/$…
The landlord asked for a refundable deposit of one month's rent.
We paid a refundable deposit on the holiday cottage and got it back after we left.
A refundable deposit is required for the equipment hire.
Word forms
| plural | refundable deposits |
|---|
Common combinations
- pay a refundable deposit
- You need to pay a refundable deposit before you can take the keys.
- a refundable deposit on something
- They charge a refundable deposit on the glassware.
- return a refundable deposit
- The company will return your refundable deposit within five working days.
- a fully refundable deposit
- The hotel takes a fully refundable deposit at check-in.
Synonyms and how they differ
- security deposit
- More formal and common in American English for money held against damage or loss.
- advance payment
- A payment made before a service; it may or may not be returned, so it is less specific than 'refundable deposit'.
Opposites
Word family
- refund verb
- To give money back to someone.
- refundable adjective
- Can be paid back.
Commonly confused: a refundable deposit or non-refundable?
a refundable deposit vs non-refundable
Means you cannot get the money back. 'Refundable' means you can.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
A refundable deposit is returned when conditions are met, so getting it back is correct. The other options describe losing the money, which fits a non-refundable deposit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a refundable deposit”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.