Spanish word

devolver

Pronunciation

IPA/deβolˈβeɾ/

Meaning

  • verbgive back, return

Example

Tengo que devolver este libro.

I have to give this book back.

Illustration for devolver (give back)

More examples

Le devolví la sonrisa cuando me saludó.

I returned the smile when he greeted me.

Core concept

Returning an item to its owner.

Common phrases

  • devolver un producto

    return a product

  • devolver la sonrisa

    return the smile

  • devolver la mirada

    return the look

Similar words

dar: Give an item or money to another person, transferring possession.
entregar: Hand an item over to the person who receives or accepts it.
volver: Move back to a previous place or return to an original location.
reembolsar: Repay money that was paid previously as a refund.

Definition in Spanish

Entregar o llevar algo a su dueño o a su lugar original; también restituir o regresar dinero u otra cosa que se había entregado.

Word origin

Devolver comes from the prefix de- 'back' plus volver (from Latin volvere 'to turn'), originally meaning 'turn back' and extended to returning objects or money.

Usage tips

  • Devolver is transitive, so with clitic pronouns the indirect object pronoun comes before the direct object pronoun (Te devolví el libro → Te lo devolví).

Other meanings

  • refundverb
  • put backverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word