What does reimbursable mean?
Reimbursable describes expenses, costs, or other payments that can be repaid to the person or organization responsible for them. The term is common in workplaces, travel policies, insurance, healthcare, and public administration, where a person may receive money back after presenting an eligible receipt or claim. It differs from 'refundable': a reimbursable expense has generally already been paid and is then covered by another party, while a refundable purchase is normally returned directly to the buyer. Reimbursement is the act or process of paying such an amount back, and reimburse is the corresponding verb. The word is formal and practical, appearing particularly in phrases such as 'reimbursable travel expenses' and 'reimbursable medical costs.'
adjectiveCapable of being repaid or reimbursed, especially referring to expenses or costs that an organization, employer, or insurer will pay back.
- Eligible for repayment or reimbursement, especially of expenses or costs.
"The company covers all reimbursable travel expenses for employees."
"Mileage and accommodation are reimbursable expenses under the university travel policy."
"The insurer determined that the treatment was not reimbursable under the policy."
A reimbursable expense is one that follows you home: the work may be over, but the approved cost can still be returned to you.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reimbursable come from?
The word comes from the English verb 'reimburse', which combines the prefix 're-' with 'imburse'. The latter derives from Latin 'bursa', meaning a purse or pouch, and ultimately entered English through French. 'Reimburse' developed the sense of paying money back for money spent, and 'reimbursable' was formed as an adjective describing costs or expenses eligible for such repayment.
Related word forms
How reimbursable is actually used
The word is mainly used in formal, administrative, financial, and workplace contexts. It is especially common in the collocations 'reimbursable expenses' and 'reimbursable costs'; 'refundable' is more natural when describing a price or ticket that can be returned.
Easily confused with reimbursable
A reimbursable amount is money paid to cover expenses already incurred, whereas a refundable price or ticket is money returned when a purchase or booking is cancelled.