Meaning & Definition of word "Compensate"

Compensate

/ˈkɒmpənˌseɪt/

1. to make up for something unwelcome or unpleasant by exerting an opposite force or effect.
- Example: The company will compensate you for any overtime work you put in this month.
2. to provide something good as a balance against something bad or undesirable.
- Example: She worked extra hours to compensate for her absence last week.
3. to counterbalance; to offset.
- Example: The new technology compensates for the limitations of the old system.
4. to pay (someone) money in exchange for goods or services.
- Example: They agreed to compensate the contractor for the additional work required.

Late Middle English: from Latin 'compensare', from 'com-' (altogether) + 'pensare' (to weigh).

compensate for:

to make up for something, typically a bad situation.

compensate with:

to offset a disadvantage with a benefit.

compensate someone:

to provide payment or reward to someone for their losses.

compensation:

the act of making amends for a loss or injury.

compensatory:

serving to compensate.

recompense:

to repay or reward for a service or loss.

Meaning: to make up for something in a casual or informal context

Example Sentence: He always tries to compensate for his short jokes with long stories.

Meaning: to give someone a treat or reward as compensation

Example Sentence: After missing the movie night, she treated him to ice cream to compensate.