- [singular] the action of arriving in or coming back to a place that you were in before
- return of somebody to… A week had passed since their return to Geneva.
- return of somebody from… I was a bit bored after my return from holiday.
- return of somebody to…from… On my return to England from Dublin my Mum picked me up at the airport.
- She lives in fear of his return.
- They offered up a prayer of thanks for her safe return.
- on/upon somebody/something's return He was met by his brother on his return from Italy.
- I saw the play on its return to Broadway.
- Upon the return of the jury the following day, the Judge made a brief summary of the case.
- on the return flight/journey/trip/visit
- The smell of cooking greeted his return home.
Extra Examples- He promised to visit us on his return.
- Shevchenko made an emotional return to his former club.
- The championships made their long-awaited return to the West Coast.
- The date of their return from India is a fortnight from now.
- The photos were taken during his nostalgic return to Redwood Creek.
- This race announces the successful return of Johnson, who has been out of the international scene for almost two years.
- Today, the whole village celebrates Elizabeth's miraculous return.
- Will he be saved by the timely return of Simone?
- his eventual return to Budapest
- the unexpected return of her long-lost niece
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- complete
- full
- gradual
- …
- make
- mark
- herald
- …
- date
- flight
- journey
- …
- in return (for)
- on somebody’s return
- return from
- …
- by return
- by return mail
- by return of post
- …
Definitions on the go
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- [uncountable, singular] the action of giving, putting or sending something/somebody back
- return of something/somebody We would appreciate the prompt return of books to the library.
- The judge ordered the return of the child to his mother.
- The owner offered a £ 20,000 reward for the safe return of the pictures.
- Write your return address (= the address that a reply should be sent to) on the back of the envelope.
Extra Examples- He continued to seek the return of his property.
- She hoped she'd get a return call soon.
- The organization facilitates the return of refugees and displaced persons.
- Thousands will welcome the return of this national treasure.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- complete
- full
- gradual
- …
- make
- mark
- herald
- …
- date
- flight
- journey
- …
- in return (for)
- on somebody’s return
- return from
- …
- by return
- by return mail
- by return of post
- …
- [singular] the situation when a feeling or state that has not been experienced for some time starts again synonym reappearance
- return of something the return of spring
- a return of my doubts
- Thousands of refugees have gone back to their homes following the return of peace.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- complete
- full
- gradual
- …
- make
- mark
- herald
- …
- date
- flight
- journey
- …
- in return (for)
- on somebody’s return
- return from
- …
- by return
- by return mail
- by return of post
- …
- [singular] the action of going back to an activity or a situation that you used to do or be in
- return to something his return to power
- They appealed for a return to work (= after a strike).
- This film is a welcome return to form for the groundbreaking director.
- He made a welcome return to the side after injury.
- The performance marked his return to the London stage after many years.
- He's making his long-awaited return from injury.
Extra Examples- a full return to health
- a cult whose members advocated a return to traditional living
- This is a welcome return to form for one of the best athletes in the sport.
- The victory marked Williams' return to top form.
- The new treatment means patients can expect a shorter hospital stay and a faster return to work.
- The cooperative anticipates a return to profitability later in the year.
- The UN continued to call for a return to civilian rule.
- Jones is hoping for an early return to racing after her injury.
- He made a successful return to the game after several years of retirement.
- He does not rule out a possible return to the concert world.
- She made a triumphant return to Broadway earlier this year.
- The takeover heralded a return to a strong central administration.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- complete
- full
- gradual
- …
- make
- mark
- herald
- …
- date
- flight
- journey
- …
- in return (for)
- on somebody’s return
- return from
- …
- by return
- by return mail
- by return of post
- …
- [uncountable, countable] the amount of profit that you get from something synonym earnings, yield
- a high rate of return on capital
- the return on investment
- annual/investment returns
- farmers seeking to improve returns from their crops
Extra Examples- to maximize returns to shareholders
- Product areas are being developed to produce maximum returns.
- The bank offers a higher rate of return on investments over $10 000.
- The capital she invested failed to generate much of a return.
- investors seeking better returns in an era of low inflation
- future real returns from global equities
- an average return of 16%
- You should get a good return on this investment.
- Venture capitalists currently see few prospects of early returns.
- They're looking for new sources of investment return.
- They are counting on a big financial return.
- These figures represent a return of 8.5% per annum.
- Their goal is to improve economic returns from irrigation.
- The venture yielded a net return of £15 million.
- The plan provides a guaranteed return.
- The group has averaged returns of 3.8% a year over the past five years.
- The employer guaranteed a certain return on retirement investment.
- She expects a 100% return within 18 months.
- Gold shares could realize returns of 15% per annum.
- We're getting a high rate of return.
- The software had to demonstrate a fast return.
- increasing returns from educational investment
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- attractive
- big
- excellent
- …
- achieve
- bring
- earn
- …
- increase
- decline
- rate
- return from
- return on
- a rate of return
- [countable] an official report or statement that gives particular information to the government or another body
- census returns
- election returns (= the number of votes for each candidate in an election)
- US citizens living in Canada must file tax returns under both systems.
Extra Examples- These amounts of money were not declared in their annual returns.
- The latest statistical returns are not very reliable.
- The 2001 census returns showed that there were more unemployed people than was previously thought.
- He was accused of trying to falsify election returns.
- (also return ticket)(both British English)(North American English round-trip ticket)[countable] a ticket for a journey to a place and back again
- ‘Brighton, please.’ ‘Single or return?’
- A return is cheaper than two singles.
- the return fare to London
- When is your return flight?
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- day
- period
- business-class
- …
- ticket
- flight
- journey
- …
- [countable] a ticket for the theatre or a sports game that was bought by somebody but is given back to be sold again
- [uncountable] (also return key [countable])the button that you press on a computer when you reach the end of an instruction, or to begin a new line
- To exit this option, press return.
- [countable] (in tennis and some other sports) the action of hitting the ball, etc. back to your opponent
- a powerful return of serve
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- complete
- full
- gradual
- …
- make
- mark
- herald
- …
- date
- flight
- journey
- …
- in return (for)
- on somebody’s return
- return from
- …
- by return
- by return mail
- by return of post
- …
coming back
giving/sending back
of feeling/state
to previous situation/activity
profit
official report
ticket
on computer
in tennis
Word OriginMiddle English: the verb from Old French returner, from Latin re- ‘back’ + tornare ‘to turn’; the noun via Anglo-Norman French.
Idioms
See return in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee return in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishby return (of post)
- (British English) using the next available post; as soon as possible
- Please reply by return of post.
- All orders will be sent by return of post/by return mail.
(the law of) diminishing returns
- used to refer to a point at which you start achieving less than the value of the time or money you put into something
- Our efforts were producing diminishing returns.
- In general, the more exercise you take, the greater the health benefit; but beyond a certain level you get diminishing returns.
in return (for something)
- as a way of thanking somebody or paying them for something they have done
- Can I buy you lunch in return for your help?
- She gave them all the help she could, and asked for nothing in return.
- If I do this for you, what do I get in return?
- as a response or reaction to something
- I asked her opinion, but she just asked me a question in return.
many happy returns (of the day)
- used to wish somebody a happy and pleasant birthday
the point of no return
- the time when you must continue with what you have decided to do, because it is not possible to get back to an earlier situation
- We have passed the point of no return.
(on) sale or return
- (British English) (of goods) supplied with the agreement that any item that is not sold can be sent back without having to be paid for
- The novels are delivered to outlets on a sale or return basis.
Check pronunciation:
return