compensate

Everyday

1. To pay someone or give them something because they have lost something, been hurt or done work: «The company compensated the family for the damage.» tree →
2. To make up for something bad or missing with something good: «His speed compensated for his size.» tree →
3. (formal) To pay for work. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, if a train is very late you may be compensated with money back. In law and adult life, people who are hurt by someone else's mistake can get compensation. In maths, «compensating» is a mental trick: to add 39, add 40 and then take away 1. Phrases: «compensate for», «be compensated».

Examples

• The airline compensated us for the lost suitcase. tree →
• My glasses compensate for my poor eyesight. tree →
• To add 99, add 100 and compensate by taking away 1. tree →
• He worked extra hard to compensate for missing a week of school. tree →
• The shop compensated her with a free cake. tree →
• Nothing can compensate for losing a friend. tree →

Note

Say «KOM-pen-sate». «Compensate for» something. Noun: compensation. In maths, compensation means changing a number to make it easier and then fixing the answer.