return
return — verb
1. to go or come back to a place you were in before, after leaving it for a period
to go or come back to a place you were in before, after leaving it for a period of time
Sana returned to her hometown after living in Canada for five years.
return + to [place] for destination
Gabriel returned from the conference feeling inspired by the new ideas.
return + from [place] for origin
The last bus returns to the station at eleven o'clock at night.
Marco returned home to find a package waiting on the doorstep.
Jack returned to the office after a short lunch break.
- leave
to go away from a place
文法句型
return + to [place]
return + from [place]
return + to infinitive
用法筆記
Subject is typically a person, vehicle, or animal. The destination is introduced by 'to' and the origin by 'from'. 'Return home' uses no preposition.
常見錯誤
2. to move into a former condition, situation, or way of being after a period of ch
to move into a former condition, situation, or way of being after a period of change or disruption
After the fever passed, Minh's face returned to its normal healthy colour.
return + to + state: to normal
The garden returned to a wild state after nobody looked after it.
Vinícius could not sleep and his cough returned whenever he lay down.
The old town returned to peace once the festival crowds went home.
When the economy returned to growth, more people found jobs.
- revert
more formal; often implies a return to a worse or more basic state
- go back to
less formal; common in everyday conversation
- be restored to
emphasizes an external force bringing back the previous state
- change
to become different from a previous state
- depart from
to leave a usual or expected condition
文法句型
return + to [state/noun]
用法筆記
Subject can be a person's health or appearance, a natural environment, an economic indicator, or any entity that undergoes change. Frequently used with abstract nouns such as 'normal', 'health', 'peace', 'growth', and 'consciousness'.
常見錯誤
3. to start doing or discussing something again after pausing or stopping it for a
to start doing or discussing something again after pausing or stopping it for a period of time
After the coffee break, the committee returned to the question of funding.
return to [topic] — resuming discussion
Let me return to what Omar was saying about the new safety rules.
Lan returned to writing songs after taking a year off from music.
The singer plans to return to performing live shows next summer.
We should return to the main point instead of discussing small details.
- resume
more formal; directly means 'start again after stopping'
- pick up again
informal; implies continuing from where one left off
- come back to
idiomatic; common in spoken English for topics
文法句型
return + to [activity/topic]
用法筆記
Followed by 'to' plus a noun or a gerund (e.g. 'return to work', 'return to discussing'). The gap in the activity can be short (minutes) or long (years).
常見錯誤
4. to match someone's action, feeling, or gift with the same kind of action, feelin
to match someone's action, feeling, or gift with the same kind of action, feeling, or gift directed back at them
Kemi returned the favour by driving her elderly neighbour to the clinic.
collocation: return a favour
Omar smiled warmly at the waiter, who returned his smile at once.
The company returned the investors' trust by delivering strong results.
Yara returned the compliment and said her friend's dress was lovely too.
The soldiers were ordered not to return fire during the tense standoff.
- reciprocate
more formal; used for feelings, actions, or gestures
- repay
often used for favours or kindness; can also refer to debts
- give back
informal; more literal and less idiomatic
文法句型
return + something
用法筆記
Often appears in fixed expressions such as 'return a favour', 'return a greeting', 'return fire', and 'return the compliment'. The object is typically a positive or neutral action, though 'return fire' is a military exception.
常見錯誤
5. to answer someone's question, request, or remark, especially in a firm or direct
to answer someone's question, request, or remark, especially in a firm or direct way that matches the tone of what was said to you
"I am not interested," Lan returned firmly when asked about the contract offer.
return + direct speech — literary/formal register
The senator returned a sharp answer to the reporter's difficult question.
return + a [noun]: answer, reply, response
When challenged about his decision, the judge returned a calm and brief reply.
Esme returned no answer when her brother asked where she had been.
- remain silent
to give no answer at all
文法句型
return + direct speech
return + a [answer/reply]
用法筆記
This sense belongs to formal written English, especially literary narration and journalism. Unlike 'answer' or 'reply', it is not used in ordinary conversation. The reply typically echoes the tone or structure of the original remark.
常見錯誤
6. to earn money as profit or financial gain from an investment, a business, or a p
to earn money as profit or financial gain from an investment, a business, or a product
The fund returned a profit of twelve percent in the last financial year.
return + a profit of [percentage/amount]
Madison's small bakery returned barely enough income to cover the rising rent.
Government bonds usually return a steady income over a long period of time.
The investment returned far less than Sana had hoped at the start.
Real estate in the city centre returned good profits for many years.
- lose
to fail to make money; to make a loss
文法句型
return + [amount]
return + [percentage] of profit
用法筆記
Subject is typically a financial product (investment, bond, fund), a business, or an asset (property). The object is an amount or percentage of profit, income, or returns. Common in financial reporting and business English.
常見錯誤
7. to give, send, or put something back to the person who owns it or to the place i
to give, send, or put something back to the person who owns it or to the place it came from
Hui returned the books to the library before the due date.
return + object + to + place
The cashier refused to return the customer's money without a receipt.
Élise found a wallet and returned it to its owner the next morning.
Could you please return this shirt and get a smaller size for me?
Baraka returned the rented car to the airport office after the trip.
文法句型
return + object + to + person/place
用法筆記
Object is usually a physical item that was borrowed, bought, or found. The receiver is introduced by the preposition 'to'.
常見錯誤
8. to bring or send a person back to a place they came from or to someone who is re
to bring or send a person back to a place they came from or to someone who is responsible for them
After the emergency, Christopher was returned to his family by the rescue team.
passive: be returned + to + person
The school bus returned the children to their homes before the storm hit.
Indra was returned to his village after spending three days at the city hospital.
The police officer returned the lost boy to his worried mother at the station.
- bring back
less formal, implies accompanying the person
- send back
implies the person travels without being accompanied
- keep
to not allow someone to leave; to hold someone in a place
文法句型
return + person + to + place
be returned + to + place/person
用法筆記
The passive form ('be returned') is very common. The subject of the active sentence is typically an official, institution, or someone with authority.
9. when a ball comes towards you during a game such as tennis or badminton, to send
when a ball comes towards you during a game such as tennis or badminton, to send it back across the net towards the other player
Meera returned the serve with a powerful shot down the line.
return + the serve
The player struggled to return the fast balls during the final game.
Eli returned every shot his opponent sent across the net.
Defne practiced returning high balls near the back of the court every day.
- hit back
less formal, not specific to sports contexts
文法句型
return + object (ball/shot/serve)
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'serve', 'shot', and 'ball' as the object. In tennis, 'return of serve' is a standard phrase.
10. in American football, when a defending player catches a kicked ball and runs for
in American football, when a defending player catches a kicked ball and runs forward with it towards the other team's goal area
Vinícius returned the punt thirty yards to give his team good field position.
return + the punt + distance
The player returned the kickoff all the way for a touchdown.
return + the kickoff
Mert caught the ball at the ten-yard line and returned it past midfield.
Eitan was tackled just after returning the punt in the second half.
文法句型
return + object (punt/kickoff/ball)
用法筆記
Used mainly in American football commentary. The object is typically 'punt', 'kickoff', or 'ball'. A player who does this is called a 'returner'.
11. to begin taking place once more after a period of not happening
to begin taking place once more after a period of not happening
Pain in the old woman's knee returned whenever she ran more than ten minutes.
subject (symptom/pain) + returns
Nellie hoped the sunny weather would return before the weekend trip.
subject (weather) + returns
After a week of silence, the strange noises returned from the old basement.
The patient's symptoms returned shortly after she stopped taking the medicine.
文法句型
something returns
X returns (after Y)
用法筆記
Subject is usually a condition, feeling, sound, or pattern that stops and then starts again. Frequently used for medical symptoms, weather, and unwanted situations.
常見錯誤
12. if a jury or a court returns a verdict, decision, or sentence, they officially s
if a jury or a court returns a verdict, decision, or sentence, they officially state whether someone is guilty and what the punishment will be
The jury returned a verdict of not guilty after three hours of discussion.
return + a verdict of [result]
The judge returned a sentence of five years in prison for the crime.
return + a sentence
After a long trial, the jury returned a unanimous decision of guilty.
The court returned a verdict that surprised both the lawyers and the public.
文法句型
return + a verdict
return + a decision
return + a sentence
用法筆記
The object is almost always 'verdict', 'decision', 'sentence', or a similar legal term. The subject is 'jury', 'court', or 'judge'. This sense is separate from the other legal sense (index 13) which means 'to formally accuse someone'.
常見錯誤
13. when a grand jury or other official legal body issues a formal criminal charge a
when a grand jury or other official legal body issues a formal criminal charge against a person after reviewing evidence and finding it sufficient to proceed to trial
The grand jury returned an indictment against the former mayor on corruption charges.
collocation: return an indictment against [person]
After reviewing the evidence, the legal panel returned a charge of fraud against Nikos.
The grand jury returned no indictment against Quan, so his case was closed before any trial.
Prosecutors asked the grand jury to return charges of bribery against both company executives.
The jury declined to return a criminal charge because the evidence against Kofi was too weak.
文法句型
return + an indictment/charge (against someone)
be returned by + [legal body]
用法筆記
Primarily used in common-law legal systems, especially US grand jury proceedings. The object is typically 'indictment' or 'charge.' Unlike sibling sense 12 (DECIDE), which refers to a jury finding a defendant guilty or not guilty after a trial, this sense refers to the pre-trial decision to formally accuse.
常見錯誤
14. to choose a person for a particular political position through an election, such
to choose a person for a particular political position through an election, such as a seat in a parliament or a role in a local government
The constituency returned Élise to parliament with a majority of over five thousand votes.
pattern: constituency returned [person] to parliament
The incumbent MP was not returned to office in the last general election.
passive: was not returned to office
Voters returned Lucas to a third term representing the district in the national assembly.
At the local election, the town returned a new council that promised to rebuild the damaged library.
Abigail was one of several new members returned to the national assembly after the historic vote.
文法句型
be returned to [parliament/office]
return + [candidate] + to [position]
用法筆記
Common in British and Commonwealth political contexts. Unlike the general verb 'elect', 'return' emphasises the formal result — the constituency's collective choice as officially recorded. Often used in the passive ('be returned to parliament'). Typically not used for corporate or organisational appointments.
常見錯誤
return — noun
1. A person or thing being present once more in a location they had left previously
A person or thing being present once more in a location they had left previously.
Astrid's return to Taipei was delayed when a typhoon hit the island.
possessive + return to [place]
The whole family waited at the arrival gate for Christopher's return from Japan.
On her return from the hospital, Salma found flowers and cards waiting.
The satellite's return to Earth was shown live on every news channel.
A long commute made the return home each evening feel deeply satisfying.
- homecoming
more emotional, only for people returning to their home or community
- arrival
broader — arrival can be for anyone, not just someone who had been there before
- departure
the act of leaving a place
用法筆記
Often paired with a possessive or 'the' before the noun, followed by 'to' or 'from' to indicate origin or destination.
常見錯誤
2. The act of beginning to do an activity or experience something again after a per
The act of beginning to do an activity or experience something again after a period of not doing it.
After ten years away, Nellie made a return to competitive swimming.
make a return to [activity]
The city welcomed the return of its annual summer music festival.
Mauricio's return to work felt strange after six months of travel.
The return of warm weather brought joy to the whole neighbourhood.
Fans were thrilled by the return of their favourite TV show.
- resumption
more formal, used for official activities or processes
- revival
stronger — suggests something was nearly gone and is brought back to life
- comeback
informal, often used for sports or entertainment careers
- cessation
formal term for stopping or ending
用法筆記
Common in the pattern 'return of [something]' for things that happen regularly, or 'return to [activity]' for resuming a personal habit.
3. A ticket that lets a passenger go to a destination and later return to the start
A ticket that lets a passenger go to a destination and later return to the starting point.
Tunde bought a return ticket from Lagos to London for the trade fair.
return ticket from [place] to [place]
A return ticket to Manchester costs less than two single tickets.
Christopher asked for a return when he booked his train journey north.
The airline offered a good discount on return tickets bought online.
Antonia lost her return ticket and had to buy a new one at the station.
- round-trip ticket
American English equivalent
- single ticket
a ticket for travel in one direction only
- one-way ticket
American English term for a single ticket
用法筆記
Primarily used in British English. In American English, the equivalent term is 'round-trip ticket'. This sense is a countable noun.
常見錯誤
4. The action of carrying the ball toward the other team's end zone after catching
The action of carrying the ball toward the other team's end zone after catching it, specific to American football.
Adina's 45-yard return set up the winning score for the Tigers.
yard return — the distance covered
The crowd jumped up when the kickoff return went all the way for a touchdown.
kickoff return
Ritu's punt return in the final quarter turned the game around completely.
The defender made an impressive return but was tackled at the twenty-yard line.
A thirty-yard return brought the home team within easy scoring distance.
用法筆記
This sense is specific to American football. Common modifiers describe the starting play: 'kickoff return', 'punt return', 'interception return'. Always preceded by a modifier indicating the distance gained.
5. The fixed phrase 'in return' or 'in exchange' used to describe something given o
The fixed phrase 'in return' or 'in exchange' used to describe something given or received as payment or replacement for something else.
The shelter offered warm meals in return for donations from the public.
in return for [noun phrase]
Lucía cared for the garden in exchange for a small room to live in.
In return for her help with the project, Cristina baked her a cake.
The firm gave all staff a bonus in return for their extra effort that year.
Farmers provided fresh vegetables in exchange for help with the harvest.
- in exchange
interchangeable with 'in return' in most contexts
- as payment
more literal, implies a financial transaction
文法句型
in return for + noun
in exchange for + noun
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrases 'in return (for)' and 'in exchange (for)'. The noun takes no article in this construction. 'In return' can also stand alone at the start of a sentence.
常見錯誤
6. Something that you give, do, or receive because someone else has given or done s
Something that you give, do, or receive because someone else has given or done something similar to you — for example, a gift given as thanks or a favour done in response to a favour.
Amihan received concert tickets as a return for helping organise the festival.
as a return for [noun]
Ada baked her neighbour a cake as a return for watering the plants.
as a return for [favour/service]
Feng offered his time freely and asked for no return whatsoever.
The only return the volunteer expected was a simple thank-you note.
As a return for years of loyal service, the firm gave her a gold watch.
- reciprocation
more formal, emphasizes the mutual nature of the exchange
- repayment
suggests a debt is being settled, often financial
- reward
positive connotation, given for effort or achievement rather than exchange
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 5 (IN EXCHANGE): sense 5 is the fixed phrase 'in return (for)', which functions as an adverbial unit. This sense is the standalone noun referring to the thing given back or the act of reciprocation. It can be countable ('a return') or uncountable ('no return').
7. The money you earn or gain from an investment, such as stocks, property, or a bu
The money you earn or gain from an investment, such as stocks, property, or a business, over a period of time.
Kevin earned a good return on his investment in the solar energy company.
return on [investment]
The annual return from Yara's property fund was nearly eight percent.
Investors expect a high return when they put money into a risky new business.
Amani put her savings into a fund that gives a steady return each year.
The return on government bonds was lower than Christopher had hoped for.
- loss
the opposite financial outcome when an investment loses money
文法句型
return + on + [investment]
用法筆記
Often appears in the pattern 'return on [investment]' to specify which investment produced the profit.
常見錯誤
8. A situation in which something that had ended or gone away comes back or starts
A situation in which something that had ended or gone away comes back or starts happening once more — for example, an illness that returns, a season that comes around again, or a fashion that becomes popular after years of absence.
The return of the flu kept many children at home in January.
return of [disease/season/phenomenon]
Local people welcomed the return of the weekly market after the road repairs finished.
Doctors warned about the return of whooping cough among unvaccinated children in the area.
Élise was happy about the return of sunny weather after two weeks of rain.
The return of vinyl records surprised many people in the music industry.
- recurrence
more formal; often used for medical or structural events
- revival
positive connotation; implies active renewed interest
- resurgence
stronger; suggests a powerful or rapid reappearance
- disappearance
the act of ceasing to exist or be seen
- decline
a gradual reduction rather than a complete stop
文法句型
return + of + [something]
用法筆記
Commonly followed by 'of' and a noun specifying what is reappearing. The subject is usually an unwanted phenomenon (disease, bad weather) or a revived trend.
9. A button found on most computer keyboards. Pressing it confirms what you typed,
A button found on most computer keyboards. Pressing it confirms what you typed, starts a new line of text, or sends a command for the machine to carry out.
After typing the web address, Jin pressed the return key to load the page.
press the return key
Hit return after each line of code so the computer reads the instruction correctly.
The return key on Sirin's old laptop was worn smooth from years of typing.
Sivan pressed return and the search results appeared on the screen.
To start a new paragraph in your document, tap the return key twice.
- enter key
the same key on most PC keyboards; used interchangeably with 'return'
文法句型
press + return
hit + return
用法筆記
On most modern keyboards, the key is labelled 'Enter' or 'Return'. Both names are used interchangeably. In word processing, pressing it moves the cursor to the next line.
常見錯誤
10. When you take or send an object to where it belongs, or hand it back to the pers
When you take or send an object to where it belongs, or hand it back to the person who lent or lost it, so that it is no longer in your care.
The librarian insisted on the return of all overdue books before the holiday break.
return of [items/objects]
Ayesha arranged the return of the borrowed camera to her neighbour.
The store offers free shipping when you return an item you do not like.
Lara packed the dress carefully for its return to the online shop.
The return of the lost wallet to its owner earned the taxi driver a reward.
- restitution
more formal; often used in legal or official contexts, especially for stolen property
- repayment
specifically about returning money
- restoration
implies returning to a previous state or condition rather than just a place
文法句型
return + of + [item]
用法筆記
Common in formal contexts such as shipping policies, legal documents, and library procedures. In everyday speech, 'giving back' or 'sending back' is more natural.
常見錯誤
11. In tennis and similar games where players use rackets, a shot aimed back towards
In tennis and similar games where players use rackets, a shot aimed back towards the other player after they have played the ball to you.
Kevin's powerful return caught his opponent by surprise during the tennis match.
powerful / fast return in tennis
Sirin practised her backhand return every day at the tennis club.
The umpire called the return out because the ball had landed beyond the white line.
A strong return in doubles often forces the other team into a weak shot.
Christopher's return was too fast for Reema to reach across the court.
文法句型
[adjective] + return
用法筆記
In tennis, 'return of serve' refers specifically to the shot made in response to the opponent's serve. Other shots hit back during a rally are simply called shots or strokes.
12. Items that customers take to a shop after buying them — because a shirt does not
Items that customers take to a shop after buying them — because a shirt does not fit, a gadget is broken, or they simply changed their mind about needing the product.
The shop accepts returns of unworn clothes within thirty days of purchase.
accepts returns of [items]
Mira took the faulty phone back to the store and asked about returns.
All returns must include the original receipt and packaging to get a full refund.
The manager checked the pile of returns to see which items could be resold.
Online returns are free for members of the store's loyalty programme.
文法句型
accept + returns
returns + of + [items]
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'returns' when referring to items as a group. Singular 'return' is used for the act (see sense 10). The phrase 'returns policy' describes the rules a shop has for accepting returned items.
常見錯誤
13. The official reports or counts that show how many votes each candidate or politi
The official reports or counts that show how many votes each candidate or political party received in an election, used to announce who won.
Beatrix stayed up late to watch the election returns on television.
election returns — the standard phrase for vote tallies
Early returns showed Joon leading by a wide margin in the mayoral race.
early returns — results from the first districts to report
The official returns from Linh's district were delayed due to damaged ballot papers.
According to the latest returns, voter turnout reached a record high this year.
Evelyn studied the county returns carefully before announcing the final result.
- election results
broader term that includes not just vote tallies but also analysis and commentary
- vote count
focuses on the counting process itself rather than the official report
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the plural form 'returns' or 'election returns'. The singular 'return' for this sense is very rare. Common in news media during election cycles.
常見錯誤
14. The fixed expression 'by return (of post)' means that a reply is sent using the
The fixed expression 'by return (of post)' means that a reply is sent using the very next postal collection after receiving a letter, so that the answer reaches the sender with the least possible delay — mainly used in formal or business correspondence.
Tara asked the supplier to reply by return of post with a price quote.
reply by return of post
The company requested payment by return for the goods ordered that week.
payment by return
Cyrus received the letter on Monday morning and sent his answer by return.
Applications for the teaching job must arrive by return of post to be considered.
Faisal enclosed a signed contract with a short note sent by return.
- by the next post
same meaning but more explicit about which mail delivery
- promptly
captures the idea of quick response without the postal restriction
文法句型
by return
by return of post
用法筆記
Primarily a British English expression. The shorter form 'by return' is common in business writing. In modern English, email has largely replaced this usage, so it sounds somewhat dated or deliberately formal.
常見錯誤
return — adjective
1. used before a noun to describe a ticket or journey that goes towards the origina
used before a noun to describe a ticket or journey that goes towards the original departure point
Élise booked a return flight from Taipei to Tokyo for next weekend.
return flight — adjective before noun
The return journey took nearly an hour longer because of road construction.
Instead of two singles, Ada bought a return ticket and saved three hundred dollars.
Before leaving the hotel, Imran checked the platform for his return train.
A return ticket costs about the same as a single on this route.
- round-trip
American English term for a return ticket, especially for air travel
- back
informal; used in phrases like 'the back journey' or 'the back half of the trip'
- one-way
describes a ticket or journey going to a destination without coming back
文法句型
return + noun
the + return + noun
用法筆記
This adjective is used only before a noun (attributive position) — it cannot stand alone after a verb. You say 'a return ticket', not 'this ticket is return'.