What does return mean?
Return is a versatile word used for going back, giving something back, resuming an earlier activity, or producing a result. As a verb, it can describe a person returning home, a package being sent back, a conversation continuing after an interruption, or an investment yielding profit. As a noun, it can denote the act of coming back, a journey back, a response, a recurring event, or a financial gain. The word is usually neutral in tone, although “come back” may sound more conversational and “return” may sound more formal or precise. Its many uses make it especially useful in descriptions of movement, exchange, repetition, and reversal.
The act or fact of going back, giving something back, resuming, or producing a result; also a journey back or a recurring event.
"Their return to negotiations was welcomed by both sides."
In some contexts, “returns” refers to financial results or profit, especially in business and investment language.
To go back, give or send back, resume, reply, or produce a result or profit.
"The company returned a substantial profit last year."
The verb can be transitive, as in “return a book,” or intransitive, as in “return home.”
The plural is used for multiple acts of coming back or giving something back, recurring events, and financial results.
"The store offers refunds for returns within thirty days."
Return literally meant “turn back”: it comes from Latin re- plus vertere, “to turn,” so its core idea has always been reversal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does return come from?
The word entered Middle English through Old French return, from Latin revertare, meaning “to turn back.” The Latin verb combined the prefix re-, meaning “back” or “again,” with vertere, “to turn.” The same ancient root appears in cognates and related words such as revert, reverse, revolve, and versatile.
Related word forms
How return is actually used
The word is neutral in register and common in everyday speech, formal writing, business, and legal contexts. In British English, “return” can also refer to a scheduled trip from a journey, while in American English “round trip” is often the more common expression for a journey in both directions.
Easily confused with return
A return is the act of sending or bringing something back, whereas a refund is the money returned in exchange for a purchase or payment.
Return generally means going back, giving back, or resuming, while revert often means to go back to an earlier state, condition, or decision.