Return Meaning
/ɹɪˈtɜːn/Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo come or go back (to a place or person).
verbTo go back in thought, narration, or argument.
Sentence Examples
All you have to do is to wait for me to return.
You should return home before it gets dark.
A week had passed since their return to Geneva.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The tired traveler needs to ____ home after his long overseas trip.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She was eager to ____ to work after her maternity leave and had already arranged childcare.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English returnen, retornen, from Anglo-Norman returner, from Old French retourner, retorner, from Medieval Latin retornare (“to turn back”), from re- + tornare (“to turn”). By surface analysis, re- + turn. Compare beturn.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The Celebrity, by arts unknown, induced Mrs. Judge Short and two other ladies to call at Mohair on a certain afternoon when Mr. Cooke was trying a trotter on the track. The three returned wondering and charmed with Mrs. Cooke; they were sure she had had no hand in the furnishing of that atrocious house."
— 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC, page 58:
"“I came through and I shall return,” General MacArthur declared when he spoke at Terowie of the beleagured Philippines."
— 1942, “‘I Came Through; I Shall Return”, in The Advertiser:
"As soon as Julia returned with a constable, Timothy, who was on the point of exhaustion, prepared to give over to him gratefully. The newcomer turned out to be a powerful youngster, fully trained and eager to help, and he stripped off his tunic at once."
— 1963, Margery Allingham, “Meeting Point”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC, page 232:
"‘I suppose here is none woll be glad to returne – and as for me,’ seyde Sir Cador, ‘I had lever dye this day that onys to turne my bak.’"
— 1470–1485 (date produced), Thomas Malory, “(please specify the chapter)”, in [Le Morte Darthur], book V, [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, →OCLC; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur […], London: David Nutt, […], 1889, →OCLC:
"Whan Kyng Marke harde hym sey that worde, he returned his horse and abode by hym."
— 1470–1485 (date produced), Thomas Malory, “Capitulum xiij”, in [Le Morte Darthur], book X, [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, →OCLC; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur […], London: David Nutt, […], 1889, →OCLC:
Explore More A1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The tired traveler needs to ____ home after his long overseas trip.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She was eager to ____ to work after her maternity leave and had already arranged childcare.