payout

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "payout" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in financial contexts to refer to the distribution of money, often as a result of a bet, investment, or insurance claim. Example: "The payout for winning the lottery was significantly higher than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Barclays has agreed a £18,000-a-week shares payout for its chief executive Antony Jenkins, who earns a salary of £1.1m a year.

The Guardian - Business

The monthly payment continues until you go back to work or you reach retirement age, although budget policies usually limit the payout to five years.

The Guardian - Money

Hundreds of former Comet employees are to lose out on compensation for being laid off incorrectly after an employment tribunal ruling on Friday dashed hopes of a payout.

The Guardian - Business

"I got a payout but I felt I didn't get justice.

The Guardian

Lawyers acting on her behalf are arguing that she is entitled to a payout from the government-funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme because her medical condition is directly linked to her mother's drinking habits during pregnancy.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was Sports Direct's fourth attempt to push through a big payout for its billionaire founder, who owns 58% of the company, and is deputy chairman.

The Guardian - Business

Ashley, who acts as executive deputy chairman but does not take a salary, also told the board he was not expecting any bonus plan to be put before shareholders while the current scheme is in place, in effect drawing a line under his bid for a huge payout for the next five years.

The Guardian - Business

Both banks fuelled the row over industry response to the EU bonus cap by announcing they would now ask their shareholders to support bonuses of 200% of salary – double the maximum payout level intended by the EU, which wants to limit bonuses to 100% of salaries – at their upcoming annual meetings.

The Guardian - Business

So we are asking our family, friends and colleagues, and especially those who have enjoyed some of Suzy's amazing hospitality over the years, to contribute to her 'redundancy payout'.

The Guardian

Two weeks ago, the dog's owner received a payout of $80,000.

The Guardian

It emerged this week that Wolfson would share his latest £4m payout among Next staff after doling out £2.4m last year.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial results or legal settlements, use the term "payout" to clearly indicate the distribution of funds. Ensure the context specifies the reason for the disbursement, such as "insurance payout" or "bonus payout".

Common error

Avoid using "payout" when "payoff" is more appropriate. "Payoff" often implies a reward or the result of a scheme, while "payout" simply refers to the disbursement of money.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "payout" is as a noun, referring to an amount of money that is paid out. Ludwig AI's examples show it frequently used in contexts involving financial distributions, settlements, and bonuses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "payout" is a common noun that refers to an amount of money paid out, particularly in the context of financial distributions, settlements, or bonuses. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and prevalence in news and business media. When writing, remember that "payout" should be used to clearly indicate the disbursement of funds and avoid confusing it with "payoff", which often implies a reward or illicit payment. Using this guide helps ensure clarity and precision in your writing when discussing financial matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Payment

A general term for the transfer of money, which might not necessarily be a lump sum or a settlement.

Disbursement

Focuses on the act of distributing funds, rather than the amount itself.

Disbursal

Emphasizes the act of officially distributing money, often in an organizational context.

Settlement

Implies a resolution of a dispute or claim, resulting in a financial agreement.

Payoff

Can imply a final payment or a reward for effort or risk.

Compensation

Specifically refers to money awarded to offset losses, injuries, or damages.

Dividend

Specifically refers to a distribution of profits to shareholders.

Reimbursement

Implies repayment for expenses already incurred.

Remittance

The action of sending money to another party

Award

Suggests a formal decision to grant money, often in a legal or competitive context.

FAQs

What is the definition of "payout"?

A "payout" is an amount of money paid out, often as a lump sum. It can refer to dividends, settlements, or other forms of disbursement.

How can I use "payout" in a sentence?

You can use "payout" in sentences like: "The insurance "settlement" resulted in a significant payout." or "The company announced a dividend payout to its shareholders."

What are some alternatives to the word "payout"?

Alternatives to "payout" include "payment", "disbursement", "settlement", or "compensation", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "payout" and "payoff"?

"Payout" generally refers to the disbursement of funds, while "payoff" can also imply a reward or the result of a scheme. For example, a lottery win results in a "payout", while a bribe is a "payoff".