What does defraying mean?
"Defraying" is the present participle and gerund of the formal verb "defray," which means to provide the money needed to pay a cost or expense. It is used most often in business, legal, and administrative contexts, where one party — a company, government body, charity, or benefactor — covers charges on behalf of another. Typical objects of the verb include "costs," "expenses," "charges," and "bills," as in grants defraying tuition fees or sponsorship defraying event costs. The word carries a neutral, professional connotation rather than any sense of generosity or obligation; it simply describes who bears the financial burden. It derives from the old French verb "defrayer," meaning to spend or disburse money. Though not common in everyday speech, "defraying" remains a precise and useful term whenever formal writing calls for a single word that captures the idea of meeting someone's expenses.
Providing money to pay or cover a cost or expense.
"The trust is defraying the medical bills of families affected by the flood."
Almost always takes an object such as costs, expenses, charges, or bills; register is formal.
The act or practice of covering or paying for expenses.
"Defraying of the committee's travel costs was approved at the annual meeting."
Less common than the verbal use; typically appears in formal or legal phrasing such as 'the defraying of costs'.
Despite looking like it involves 'fray', this word has nothing to do with fighting — its roots lie in an old French verb meaning simply to spend money.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of defraying
"Defraying" derives from the verb "defray," borrowed in the late 16th or early 17th century from Middle French "défrayer." The French verb combines the prefix "de-" with "frayer," meaning to spend or disburse money. Its ultimate origin lies in medieval Latin, and it entered English chiefly in contexts of official and financial expenditure, where it has remained ever since.
Related word forms
How defraying is actually used
Formal register, found chiefly in business, legal, academic, and administrative writing. It almost always appears with an object referring to costs, expenses, charges, or bills. The simple form 'defray' is more common than the participle 'defraying'.
Easily confused with defraying
'Defraying' means paying for costs, while 'delaying' means postponing something in time — they sound somewhat similar but share nothing in meaning.