return

Meanings

1. 1verbintransitive

   To come or go back to a place, condition, or activity.

   Grammar: No object; often followed by to or from: return to work, return from vacation.

   Patterns

   • return to something
   • return from something
   • return home

   She returned to her hometown after ten years abroad.

   The children returned from school at four o'clock.

   He returned to his old habit of biting his nails.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To give, put, or send something back to its owner or original place.

   Grammar: Takes an object: return the book. Often used with to: return the book to the library.

   Patterns

   • return something to someone
   • return something to a place
   • return a favor

   Please return the borrowed tools to the garage.

   She returned the dress to the store because it was too small.

   He returned the compliment by inviting them to dinner.

3. 3verbtransitivefinancebusiness

   To produce a profit or yield.

   Grammar: Takes an object: The investment returned 5%. Often used in finance.

   Patterns

   • return a profit
   • return a percentage
   • return on investment

   The shares returned a healthy dividend last year.

   This bond returns 3% annually.

   The venture returned a profit within two years.

4. 4nouncountable or uncountable

   The act of coming or going back.

   Grammar: Can be countable: a return to normal. Or uncountable: on his return.

   Patterns

   • return to something
   • on someone's return
   • a return to normal

   We look forward to your return to the office.

   On his return from war, he was greeted as a hero.

   The return of the swallows marks the beginning of spring.

5. 5nouncountable or uncountablefinancebusiness

   The profit or benefit gained from an investment or effort.

   Grammar: Often used in the plural: returns on investment. Can be uncountable: a high return.

   Patterns

   • return on investment
   • a good return
   • returns from something

   The returns on that stock have been impressive.

   She got a poor return for all her hard work.

   Investors expect a reasonable return on their capital.

6. 6nouncountableBritish

   A ticket for a journey to a place and back again; a round trip.

   Grammar: In British English, 'a return' means a round-trip ticket; in American English, 'a round trip' is more common.

   Patterns

   • a return ticket
   • a return to somewhere

   I'd like a return to London, please.

   A return ticket is cheaper than two singles.

   He bought a day return to Manchester.

Word forms

Common combinations

return to normal

Life slowly returned to normal after the storm.

return a favor

I'll return the favor when you need help.

return on investment

They measured the return on investment carefully.

in return for

She gave him a gift in return for his kindness.

return ticket

He bought a return ticket to Edinburgh.

Synonyms and how they differ

go back

Go back is more informal and often used in speech; return is more formal and can also mean give back.

come back

Come back means return to the speaker's location, while return can be used for any direction.

yield

Yield is used for profits or results, especially in finance; return is more general and common in everyday language.

Opposites

Word family

returnable adjective

Can be returned, especially of bottles or goods.

returner noun

A person who returns, especially to work after a break.

returning adjective

Coming back; e.g., a returning officer.

Commonly confused: return or repay?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “return”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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