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/ˈkɒmpənˌseɪt/
Meaning & Definition
verb
to make up for something unwelcome or unpleasant by exerting an opposite force or effect.
The company will compensate you for any overtime work you put in this month.
to provide something good as a balance against something bad or undesirable.
She worked extra hours to compensate for her absence last week.
to counterbalance; to offset.
The new technology compensates for the limitations of the old system.
to pay (someone) money in exchange for goods or services.
They agreed to compensate the contractor for the additional work required.
Etymology
Late Middle English: from Latin 'compensare', from 'com-' (altogether) + 'pensare' (to weigh).
Common Phrases and Expressions
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.
Related Words
Slang Meanings
to make up for something in a casual or informal context
He always tries to compensate for his short jokes with long stories.
to give someone a treat or reward as compensation
After missing the movie night, she treated him to ice cream to compensate.