Words / B2

DIV-id-end/ˈdɪvɪdend/

A dividend is a share of profits paid to shareholders: pay a dividend; dividend cut. It also appears in pay dividends (bring later benefits). Yield is related in investment English. Do not mix dividend with divide (the verb) or divine. Company results in UK news often lead on the dividend.

Meaning

A share of a company’s profits paid to shareholders; also a benefit from an action (pay dividends).

Examples

• “The firm cut its dividend after a weak quarter.”
• “Early language support paid dividends in later exam scores, which is the idiom.”

Good to know

pay / cut / raise a dividend. Idiom: pay dividends. Mix-up: divide, divine. Investors vs employees (wages).

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