return
verb/rɪˈtɜːn/
/rɪˈtɜːrn/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they return | /rɪˈtɜːn/ /rɪˈtɜːrn/ |
| he / she / it returns | /rɪˈtɜːnz/ /rɪˈtɜːrnz/ |
| past simple returned | /rɪˈtɜːnd/ /rɪˈtɜːrnd/ |
| past participle returned | /rɪˈtɜːnd/ /rɪˈtɜːrnd/ |
| -ing form returning | /rɪˈtɜːnɪŋ/ /rɪˈtɜːrnɪŋ/ |
- [intransitive] to come or go back from one place to another
- I waited a long time for him to return.
- returning emigrants/exiles/refugees (= who are coming home after being away)
- return to… She's returning to Australia tomorrow after six months in Europe.
- He had recently returned to this country after living in Spain.
- I had to return to the store to look for my purse.
- return from… I returned from work to find the house empty.
- People were returning home for the weekend.
Synonyms returnreturncome back ▪ go back ▪ get back ▪ turn backThese words all mean to come or go back from one place to another.return to come or go back from one place to another:- I waited a long time for him to return.
- What time did you get back last night?
- The weather got so bad that we had to turn back.
- to return/come back/go back/get back to/from/with something
- to return/come back/go back/get back/turn back again
- to return/come back/go back/get back home/to work
- to return/come back/get back safely
Extra Examples- They were forced to return to the port because of bad weather.
- The prime minister recently returned from a summit at Camp David.
- We locked the door in case Mary returned unexpectedly.
- He finally returned with the drinks.
- The patient subsequently returned for surgery.
- She was preparing to return to El Salvador.
- She quickly returned to the car and sped off.
- Our aircraft all returned safely to their bases.
- She had recently returned from Paris.
- Charlie reluctantly returned to his seat.
- I couldn't wait to return from my travels.
- I will have to ask that you return directly to your houses.
- When did she return home from the trip?
- They returned to find the house had been burgled.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- recently
- shortly
- promptly
- …
- be due to
- be expected to
- be likely to
- …
- from
- to
- [transitive] to bring, give, put or send something back to somebody/something
- return somebody/something to somebody/something We had to return the hairdryer to the store because it was faulty.
- I must return some books to the library.
- The court ordered him to return the children to their mother.
- Completed questionnaires should be returned to this address.
- return something He refused to return our money.
- return somebody/something + adj. I returned the letter unopened.
Extra ExamplesTopics Shoppingb1- I offered to return his Christmas gift to me.
- She never returned the book to me.
- See that the documents are returned promptly, please.
- He was immediately returned to his jail cell.
- Don't forget to return my pen!
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- recently
- shortly
- promptly
- …
- be due to
- be expected to
- be likely to
- …
- from
- to
- [intransitive] to come back again synonym reappear, resurface
- The following day the pain returned.
- There's a chance the cancer will return.
- Confidence returned and prices started to rise.
- The bad weather has returned with a vengeance.
Extra Examples- His headache returned instantly.
- Her symptoms returned periodically.
- My strength was slowly returning to me.
- There are positive signs that peace is returning.
- the tears that threatened to return
- Her suspicions returned when things started going missing again.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- recently
- shortly
- promptly
- …
- be due to
- be expected to
- be likely to
- …
- from
- to
- [intransitive] return to something to start discussing a subject you were discussing earlier, or doing an activity you were doing earlier
- He returns to this topic later in the report.
- She looked up briefly then returned to her sewing.
- The doctor may allow her to return to work next week.
Extra Examples- Suspicions were aroused when he failed to return to work on Monday morning.
- Ali returned triumphantly to boxing in 1970.
- Lack of cash forced her to return to work.
- His conversation returns repeatedly to the same subjects.
- Let me return briefly to this question.
- She is due to return to school in a fortnight.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- recently
- shortly
- promptly
- …
- be due to
- be expected to
- be likely to
- …
- from
- to
- [intransitive] return to something to go back to a previous state
- Train services have returned to normal after the strike.
- The land has returned to its natural state.
- Many find returning to civilian life difficult.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- recently
- shortly
- promptly
- …
- be due to
- be expected to
- be likely to
- …
- from
- to
- [transitive] return something to do or give something to somebody because they have done or given the same to you first; to have the same feeling about somebody that they have about you
- to return a smile/gaze/greeting
- If you assist people when they ask for help, it is more likely they will return the favour.
- She phoned him several times but he was too busy to return her call.
- It's time we returned their invitation (= invite them to something as they invited us first).
- ‘You were both wonderful!’ ‘So were you!’ we said, returning the compliment.
- to return a kiss (= to kiss somebody with the same enthusiasm with which they kiss you)
- He did not return her love.
- to return fire (= to shoot at somebody who is shooting at you)
Extra Examples- Kevin gladly returned her hug.
- He hadn't bothered to return her messages.
- He soon falls in love with Amanda, but she does not return his affection.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- recently
- shortly
- promptly
- …
- be due to
- be expected to
- be likely to
- …
- from
- to
- [transitive] return something to hit the ball back to your opponent during a game
- to return a service/shot
- [transitive] return a verdict to give a decision about something in court
- The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
- The inquest returned a verdict of accidental death.
- [transitive, usually passive] (British English) to elect somebody to a political position
- be returned (as something) She was returned as MP for Edgbaston in the last election.
- be returned (to something) He was returned to Parliament with an increased majority.
- [transitive] return something (business) to give or produce a particular amount of money as a profit or loss
- to return a high rate of interest
- Last year the company returned a loss of £157 million.
come/go back
bring/give back
of feeling/situation
to previous subject/activity
to previous state
do/give the same
in tennis
a verdict
elect politician
profit/loss
Word OriginMiddle English: the verb from Old French returner, from Latin re- ‘back’ + tornare ‘to turn’; the noun via Anglo-Norman French.
Check pronunciation:
return