Pay dividends
verb
To give a lot of benefits in the future.
Studying hard will pay dividends when you take your exams.

Often appears as...
- investment will pay dividends
- time pays dividends
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
In business, to make regular payments to shareholders from the company's profits.
This year, the company was able to pay dividends to its shareholders.

Often appears as...
- company pays dividends
- pay dividends quarterly
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
verb
To give a lot of benefits in the future.
Studying hard will pay dividends when you take your exams.

Often appears as...
- investment will pay dividends
- time pays dividends
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
In business, to make regular payments to shareholders from the company's profits.
This year, the company was able to pay dividends to its shareholders.

Often appears as...
- company pays dividends
- pay dividends quarterly
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 2

Future Benefits
Refers to the long-term positive outcomes of actions, not immediate rewards.

Regular exercise will pay dividends for your health.
Metaphorical Use
Often used metaphorically to mean any type of benefit, not just financial.

Building strong friendships now will pay dividends in difficult times.
Positive Change
Implies that positive actions now will result in positive change or advantage later.

Investing in renewable energy will pay dividends for the environment.
Future Benefits
Refers to the long-term positive outcomes of actions, not immediate rewards.

Regular exercise will pay dividends for your health.
Metaphorical Use
Often used metaphorically to mean any type of benefit, not just financial.

Building strong friendships now will pay dividends in difficult times.
Positive Change
Implies that positive actions now will result in positive change or advantage later.

Investing in renewable energy will pay dividends for the environment.
Future Benefits
Refers to the long-term positive outcomes of actions, not immediate rewards.

Regular exercise will pay dividends for your health.
Metaphorical Use
Often used metaphorically to mean any type of benefit, not just financial.

Building strong friendships now will pay dividends in difficult times.
Positive Change
Implies that positive actions now will result in positive change or advantage later.

Investing in renewable energy will pay dividends for the environment.
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