The word "return" has various meanings as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it signifies going back, giving back, placing something back, replying, or a recurrence of feelings or situations. It can also imply resuming a previous state or topic, or delivering a verdict. As a noun, it denotes the act of arrival, restitution, a state reversal, resuming an activity, financial gain, official documentation, round-trip travel, or a returned object. Additionally, it features in expressions such as "many happy returns" and "point of no return."
The word "return" can be used as a verb or a noun with multiple meanings. As a verb, it can mean to go back to a place, give something back, put something back in its original place, respond to an action, or for a feeling/situation to happen again. It can also mean to return to a previous state or topic, or to announce a verdict. As a noun, it refers to the act of coming back, giving something back, a change back to a previous state, starting an activity again, profit or earnings, an official report, a ticket for a round trip, or a returned item. It is also used in phrases like "many happy returns" and "the point of no return".
[VERB 动词]返回，回到（出发地） When you return to a place, you go back there after you have been away.
[V to/from n]
[V adv]
[Also V]
Blair will return to London tonight...
今晚布莱尔将返回伦敦。
Our correspondent Stephen Sackur has just returned from the camps on the border...
我们的通讯记者斯蒂芬·萨克刚从边境的营地回来。
So far more than 350,000 people have returned home.
迄今已有35万多人返回了家园。
2
[N-SING 单数名词]返回；回来 Your return is your arrival back at a place where you had been before.
[with poss]
Ryle explained the reason for his sudden return to London.
赖尔解释了他突然返回伦敦的原因。
3
[VERB 动词]归还；退还 If you return something that you have borrowed or taken, you give it back or put it back.
[V n]
I enjoyed the book and said so when I returned it...
我喜欢这本书，并且在还书时也这样说了。
The car was not returned on time, then was reported stolen.
这辆车没有按时归还，然后就报失了。
Return is also a noun.
The main demand of the Indians is for the return of one-and-a-half-million acres of forest to their communities.
印第安人的主要要求是将150万英亩的森林归还给他们族群。
4
[VERB 动词]放回；把…放到原处 If you return something somewhere, you put it back where it was.
[V n to n]
He returned the notebook to his jacket.
他把笔记本放回到他的夹克里。
5
[VERB 动词]回应，回报（行为或感情） If you return someone's action, you do the same thing to them as they have just done to you. If you return someone's feeling, you feel the same way towards them as they feel towards you.
[V n]
Back at the station the Chief Inspector returned the call...
探长回到警察局后回了电话。
She will be disappointed if her feelings are not returned.
如果她的感情得不到回报，她会感到非常失望。
6
[VERB 动词](感觉或情况)重新出现，恢复 If a feeling or situation returns, it comes back or happens again after a period when it was not present.
[V]
Official reports in Algeria suggest that calm is returning to the country...
阿尔及利亚的官方报告表明这个国家正在恢复往日的平静。
The pain returned in waves.
疼痛又如潮水般阵阵袭来。
Return is also a noun.
It was like the return of his youth.
他似乎又回到了年轻时代。
7
[VERB 动词]恢复，回到(原来的状态) If you return to a state that you were in before, you start being in that state again.
[V to n]
Life has improved and returned to normal.
生活已经改善并恢复了正常。
Return is also a noun.
He made an uneventful return to normal health...
他的身体顺利康复了。
The opposition now fears a return to martial rule.
现在反对派害怕恢复军事统治。
8
[VERB 动词]回到(某个话题) If you return to a subject that you have mentioned before, you begin talking about it again.
[V to n]
The power of the Church is one theme all these writers return to.
所有这些作家都回归到了教会权力这个主题上。
9
[VERB 动词]重新开始，继续（某项活动） If you return to an activity that you were doing before, you start doing it again.
[V to n]
At that stage he will be 52, young enough to return to politics if he wishes to do so.
那时他将会是52岁，还很年轻，如果他希望的话，仍可重返政坛。
Return is also a noun.
He has not ruled out the shock possibility of a return to football.
他没有排除有一天会出惊人决定重返足坛。
10
[VERB 动词]宣布(裁决) When a judge or jury returns a verdict, they announce whether they think the person on trial is guilty or not.
[V n]
They returned a verdict of not guilty.
他们宣布了无罪的判决。
11
[ADJ 形容词]See also:
day return
；(票)双程的，往返的 A return ticket is a ticket for a journey from one place to another and then back again.
[usu ADJ n]
[mainly BRIT 主英]
He bought a return ticket and boarded the next train for home.
他买了往返票，并登上了下一趟回家的火车。
Return is also a noun.
BA and Air France charge more than £400 for a return to Nice.
英国航空公司和法国航空公司去尼斯的往返票价为400多英镑。
in AM, usually use 美国英语通常用round trip
12
[ADJ 形容词]（旅途）返回的，返程的 The return trip or journey is the part of a journey that takes you back to where you started from.
[ADJ n]
Buy an extra ticket for the return trip.
多买一张返程票。
13
[N-COUNT 可数名词]利润；回报；收益 The return on an investment is the profit that you get from it.
[BUSINESS 商]
Profits have picked up this year but the return on capital remains tiny...
今年的利润已经回升，但是资本收益仍然很少。
Higher returns and higher risk usually go hand in hand.
更高的收益通常伴随着更高的风险。
14
[N-COUNT 可数名词]See also:
tax return
；（纳税）申报表，申报单 A tax return is an official form that you fill in with details about your income and personal situation, so that the income tax you owe can be calculated.
He was convicted of filing false income tax returns...
他因为在纳税申报表上作假而被定罪。
Anyone with slight complications in their tax affairs is likely to be asked to fill in a return.
任何在税务方面情况稍微复杂的人都可能要填写税收申报表。
15
[N-PLURAL 复数名词](选举)结果Returns are the results of votes after an election.
Early returns show Bulgaria's opposition party may have won.
早期的选举结果表明保加利亚的反对党可能已获胜。
16
[CONVENTION 惯用语](生日祝词)生日快乐，长命百岁 When it is someone's birthday, people sometimes say 'Many happy returns' to them as a way of greeting them.
[formulae]
17
[PHRASE 短语]作为回报；作为交换 If you do something in return for what someone else has done for you, you do it because they did that thing for you.
You pay regular premiums and in return the insurance company will pay out a lump sum.
你定期支付保险费，而保险公司则会一次性给你一笔钱作为回报。
The deal offers an increase in policy value in return for giving up guarantees.
作为放弃担保的交换，这笔交易将提高保单价值。
18
[PHRASE 短语]不能回头的地步；无路可退 If you say that you have reached the point of no return, you mean that you now have to continue with what you are doing and it is too late to stop.
The release of Mr Nelson Mandela marked the point of no return in South Africa's movement away from apartheid.
纳尔逊·曼德拉先生的释放标志着南非种族隔离政策一去不复返。
19
to return fire→see:
fire
；
Oxford
re·turn★/rɪˈtɜːn; NAmErɪˈtɜːrn/
verb
,
noun
returnreturnsreturnedreturningverb★come/go back 回来；回去1★[intransitive ]to come or go back from one place to another 回来；回去；返回◆I waited a long time for him to return.我等他回来等了很长时间。return(to…) (from…) ◆She's returning to Australia tomorrow after six months in Europe.她在欧洲逗留了六个月，明天要返回澳大利亚了。◆I returned from work to find the house empty.我下班回来，发现屋里空无一人。◆When did she return home from the trip?她是什么时候旅行回来的？bring/give back 拿回；归还2★[transitive ]to bring, give, put or send sth back to sb/sth 带回；送回；放回；退还returnsb/sth to sb/sth ◆We had to return the hairdryer to the store because it was faulty.我们不得不将吹风机退回商店，因为它有残损。◆I must return some books to the library.我得把一些书还给图书馆。returnsth ◆Don't forget to return my pen!别忘了把钢笔还给我！returnsb/sth + adj. ◆I returned the letter unopened.我原封不动地将信退了回去。of feeling/quality 感觉；特质3★[intransitive ]to come back again 恢复；重现SYN
reappear
,
resurface
◆The following day the pain returned.第二天又疼起来了。◆Her suspicions returned when things started going missing again.发现又有东西丢失的时候，她又怀疑起来。to previous subject/activity 先前的话题╱活动4★[intransitive ]return(to sth) to start discussing a subject you were discussing earlier, or doing an activity you were doing earlier 重提；重新开始做◆He returns to this topic later in the report.他在报告中后来又提到这个话题。◆She looked up briefly then returned to her sewing.她抬头看了一眼，又接着做她的针线活儿。◆The doctor may allow her to return to worknext week. 医生也许会允许她下周回去上班。to previous state 先前的状态5★[intransitive ]returnto sth to go back to a previous state 恢复；回复◆Train services have returned to normalafter the strike. 罢工过后，列车运营已经恢复正常。do/give the same 回报6[transitive ]returnsth to do or give sth to sb because they have done or given the same to you first; to have the same feeling about sb that they have about you 回报；回应◆to return a favour/greeting/stare报恩；回应问候；回瞪一眼◆She phoned him several times but he was too busy to return her call.她给他打了几次电话，但他太忙，不能给她回电话。◆It's time we returned their invitation(= invite them to sth as they invited us to sth first).该我们回请他们了。◆He did not return her love.他没有回报她的爱。◆‘You were both wonderful!’ ‘So were you!’ we said, returning the compliment.“你们俩太棒了！”“你也一样啊！”我们也称赞道。◆to return fire(= to shoot at sb who is shooting at you)用枪炮还击in tennis 网球7[transitive ]returnsth to hit the ball back to your opponent during a game 回击；击回◆to return a service/shot击回发球╱抽球a verdict 裁决8[transitive ]~ a verdictto give a decision about sth in court 宣告（裁决）◆The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.陪审团宣告了无罪的判决。elect politician 选政治人物9[transitive , usually passive ]returnsb (to sth) |returnsb (as sth) ( BrE) to elect sb to a political position 选举；选出；推举profit/loss 利润；损失10[transitive ]returnsth ( business 商) to give or produce a particular amount of money as a profit or loss 带来，产生（利润或损失）◆to return a high rate of interest有很高的利息回报◆Last year the company returned a loss of £157 million.去年，公司的亏损达 1.57 亿英镑。noun★coming back 回来1★[singular ]return(to…) (from…) the action of arriving in or coming back to a place that you were in before 回来；归来；返回◆He was met by his brother on his returnfrom Italy. 他从意大利回来的时候，是他弟弟去接他的。◆I saw the play on its return to Broadway.这部戏重回百老汇时我看过了。◆on the return flight/journey/trip在返回的航班╱旅程╱路程上giving/sending back 归还；退回2★[uncountable , singular ]the action of giving, putting or sending sth/sb back 归还；放回；退回◆We would appreciate the prompt return of books to the library.若能及时将图书归还给图书馆，我们将不胜感激。◆The judge ordered the return of the child to his mother.法官命令将孩子送还他的母亲。◆Write your return address(= the address that a reply should be sent to)on the back of the envelope. 请在信封的背面写明回信地址。of feeling/state 感觉；状况3★[singular ]return(of sth) the situation when a feeling or state that has not been experienced for some time starts again 重现；恢复SYN
reappearance
◆the return of spring春之归来◆a return of my doubts我的疑心又起to previous situation/activity 先前的情况╱活动4★[singular ]returnto sth the action of going back to an activity or a situation that you used to do or be in 恢复；返回◆his return to power他的重新掌权◆They appealed for a return to work(= after a strike).他们呼吁复工。profit 利益5[uncountable , countable ]the amount of profit that you get from sth 回报；收益；利润SYN
earnings
,
yield
◆a high rate of returnon capital 资本的高回报率◆farmers seeking to improve returns from their crops寻求提高农作物利润的农民official report 正式报告6[countable ]an official report or statement that gives particular information to the government or another body 报告；陈述；申报◆census returns人口普查报告◆election returns (= the number of votes for each candidate in an election)选举结果报告☞see also
tax return
ticket 票7[countable ]( BrE) =
return ticket
◆‘Brighton, please.’ ‘Single or return?’“我要一张到布赖顿的票。”“单程的还是往返的？”◆A return is cheaper than two singles.一张往返票比两张单程票便宜。◆the return fare to London到伦敦的往返票价☞see also
day return
8[countable ]a ticket for the theatre or a sports game that was bought by sb but is given back to be sold again 退票on computer 计算机9[uncountable ](alsoreˈturn key[countable ])the button that you press on a computer when you reach the end of an instruction, or to begin a new line 返回键；回车键；结束键◆To exit this option, press return.要退出这个选项，就按返回键。in tennis 网球10[countable ](in tennisand some other sports 网球和其他一些运动)the action of hitting the ball, etc. back to your opponent 击回球◆a powerful return of serve有力的迎击发球IDIOMSby reˈturn (of ˈpost)( BrE) using the next available post; as soon as possible 由下一班邮递；尽快◆Please reply by return of post.请即赐覆。in reˈturn (for sth)1★as a way of thanking sb or paying them for sth they have done 作为（对…的）回报◆Can I buy you lunch in return for your help?感谢你帮忙，我请你吃午饭好吗？2★as a response or reaction to sth 作为回应◆I asked her opinion, but she just asked me a question in return.我征求她的意见，她却只是反问了我一句。☞more at
happy
,
point
n.,
sale
n.SYNONYMS 同义词辨析returncome back ◆go back ◆get back ◆turn back These words all mean to come or go back from one place to another. 以上各词均含回来、回去、返回之意。■returnto come or go back from one place to another 指回来、回去、返回：◆I waited a long time for him to return.我等他回来等了很长时间。NOTEReturnis slightly more formal than the other words in this group, and is used more often in writing or formal speech. *return 较本组其他的词稍为正式，较常用于书面语或正式场合中。 ■come backto return 指回来、返回NOTECome backis usually used from the point of view of the person or place that sb returns to. *come back 通常指回到说话人处或所在的地方： ◆Come back and visit again soon!请早点儿再回来探访！■go backto return to the place you recently or originally came from or that you have been to before 指回去、返回NOTEGo backis usually used from the point of view of the person who is returning. *go back 通常是从要返回者的角度来说： ◆Do you ever want to go back to China?你想回中国去吗？■get backto arrive back somewhere, especially at your home or the place where you are staying 指返回、回去，尤指回家：◆What time did you get back last night?你昨晚是什么时候回家的？■turn backto return the way that you came, especially because sth stops you from continuing 指原路返回、往回走，尤指因某事阻止而不能继续前进：◆The weather got so bad that we had to turn back.天气变得非常恶劣，我们不得不循原路折回。PATTERNS◆to return/come back/go back/get back to / to sth ◆to return/come back/go back/get back/turn back again◆to return/come back/go back/get back home / home ◆to return/come back/get back safelyre·turn/rɪˈtɜːn; NAmErɪˈtɜːrn/
LDC
return1 verb
return2 noun
return3 adjective
returnre‧turn1 /rɪˈtɜːn $ -ɜːrn/ ●●●S2W1 verb
Entry menu
Word Origin
Verb Table
Examples
Thesaurus
Collocations
Phrases
1go back [intransitive] to go or come back to a place where you were beforeSYN go back, come back: It was forty five minutes before she returned.return to Are you planning to return to Spain?return from I have just returned from five months in Zimbabwe. Alison decided to return home. He left his country, never to return.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say come back (=return to the place where the speaker is) or go back (=return to a different place from where the speaker is), rather than return:· It was forty five minutes before she came back.· Are you planning to go back to Spain?2give back [transitive] to give or send something back, or to put something back in its placeSYN give back, put backreturn something to something/somebody Carson returned the notebook to his pocket. I returned the books to the library unread. Please complete the enclosed application form and return it in the envelope attached.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say that they take something back, put it back, or bring it back, rather than return it:· He put the key back in his pocket.· Did you take the books back to the library?3feeling/situation [intransitive] if a feeling, situation etc returns, it starts to exist or happen againSYN come back: If the pain returns, take two of the tablets with some water. David could feel his anger returning.return to when peace finally returns to this countryRegisterIn everyday English, people usually say that a feeling comes back rather than returns:· I’m worried that the pain will come back.4do the same [transitive] to do something to someone because they have done the same thing to you: He smiled at her warmly and she returned his smile. I phoned him twice on Friday and left messages, but he never returned my call (=he didn’t phone me). Thanks very much. I’ll return the favour (=do something to help you) some day. The police did not return fire (=shoot back at someone who shot at them).5answer [transitive] written to answer someone: ‘Yes,’ he returned. ‘I’m a lucky man.’6ball [transitive] to hit the ball back to your opponent in a game such as tennis7elect [transitive] British English to elect someone to a political position, especially to represent you in parliamentbe returned to something Yeo was returned to Parliament with an increased majority.be returned as something At the election, she was returned as MP for Brighton.GRAMMARReturn is usually passive in this meaning.8return a verdict when a jury return their verdict, they say whether someone is guilty or not9profit [transitive] to make a profit: The group returned increased profits last year.GRAMMAR: Patterns with return• You return to a place: · The writer returned to his home town many years later.· Hardy returned to his house in the country.✗Don’t say: The writer returned his home town. | Hardy returned his house.• You return home: · When she returned home that night, there was a letter for her.✗Don’t say: when she returned to homeCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 4nounsreturn somebody’s call (=phone someone who phoned you)· I left a message but he hasn't returned my call.return somebody’s gaze/stare· She kept her eyes fixed on the floor, refusing to return his gaze.return somebody’s smile· Mark returned her smile.return somebody’s love/feelings (=love someone who loves you)· Sadly, she could never return his love.return the favour (=help someone who helped you)· Thanks a lot. I hope I'll be able to return the favour.return fire (=shoot back at someone)· One plane opened fire on the American aircraft, which immediately returned fire.THESAURUSreturn to go back or come back to a place where you were before. Return sounds more formal than go back or come back, and is more commonly used in written English: · She returned to the hotel hoping to find a message.· Alastair returned from the office late that night.· On Friday, I returned home around six o'clock.go back to go to the place where you were before, or to the place where you usually live: · It’s cold out here – shall we go back inside?· When are you going back to Japan?go home to go to your home again, or to the country where you were born, after you have been away from it: · I did a bit of shopping and then went home.· Are you going home to Hong Kong when the course finishes?come back to come to the place where you are again, after going away from it: · I’ll be away for two days – coming back on Thursday night.· He’s just come back from a vacation in Miami.get back to arrive somewhere where you were before, especially your home or the place where you are staying: · We got back at about 9 o'clock.· She couldn’t wait to get back to London.turn back to turn around and go back in the direction you came from: · We took the wrong road and had to turn back.· He ordered the soldiers to turn back and march south.return to phrasal verb1to change back to a previous state or situation, or to change something back: David waited for a moment to let his breathing return to normal.return something to something The new chairman made the cuts necessary to return the company to profitability.2to start doing an activity, job etc that you were doing before you stopped or were interruptedSYN go back: Nicholas looked up, grinned, then returned to his newspaper. The children return to school next week. Ellie needed to return to work soon after the birth.3formal to start discussing or dealing with a subject that you have already mentioned: I will return to this problem in a moment.
return1 verb
return2 noun
return3 adjective
returnreturn2 ●●●S2W2 noun
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Examples
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Collocations
Phrases
1coming back [singular] the act of returning from somewhere, or your arrival back in a place: We’re all looking forward to your return!return from I need to know the date of her return from Europe.return to Malcolm decided to delay his return to York.on/upon somebody’s return On his return from Canada, he joined the army.2giving back [singular] the act of giving, putting, or sending something backreturn of A mother is appealing for the safe return of her baby son. Police have arranged for the return of the stolen goods.3changing back [singular] a change back to a previous state or situationreturn to The United States called for a return to democracy. a return to normal4starting again [singular] when someone starts an activity again after they had stoppedreturn to Rose’s return to the teaching profession Jean is well enough now to consider her return to work.5profit [countable, uncountable] the amount of profit that you get from something: The markets are showing extremely poor returns.return on How can you get the best return on your investment?return from The returns from farming are declining. The average rates of return were 15%.► see thesaurus at
profit
6in return (for something) as payment or reward for something: He is always helping people without expecting anything in return. We offer an excellent all-round education to our students. In return, we expect students to work hard. Liz agreed to look after the baby in return for a free room.7computer [uncountable] the key that you press on a computer at the end of an instruction or to move to a new lineSYN enter: Key in the file name and press return.8ticket [countable] British English (also return ticket) a ticket for a journey from one place to another and back againOPP singleSYN round trip American English: Can I have a return to London please? →
day return
9feeling/situation [singular] when a feeling, situation etc starts to exist or happen againreturn of She felt a return of her old anxiety. David had noticed the return of worrying symptoms in the last few days.10statement [countable] a statement giving written information in reply to official questions: an analysis of the 1851 census returns →
tax return
11vote [countable] technical a vote in an election: What are the returns from last night’s voting?12by return (of post) British English if you reply to a letter by return, you send your reply almost immediately → the point of no return
at point1(10)
return1 verb
return2 noun
return3 adjective
returnreturn3 adjective [only before noun]
Examples
Thesaurus
Collocations
Phrases
used or paid for a journey from one place to another and back again → singleSYN round trip American English: a return ticket a return fare
WDF
return
[rɪˈtɜ:n]returned, returning, returns
CET4CET6TEM4考研
n1243
33623
3779
4108
9186
9400
7150
j21476
352
24
48
107
82
91
v472
88880
11220
23430
17795
23042
13393
VERB522
2910328
NOUN986
1575223
PREP11924
39021
ADJ13053
32330
Spoken:
399180345
returned[35277] returning[15240] returns[11723]
返回(59%)，回报(22%)，归还(13%)，申报(5%)，回应(1%)
vi.返回；报答
adj.报答的；回程的；返回的
vt.返回；报答
n.返回；归还；回球
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