Phrase guide

fork out

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To pay out, to hand over.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, ambitransitive, informal

Examples

  • The hard drive broke down, so I forked out five hundred dollars for a new one.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cough up, fork over, shell out

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

to surrender someone or something to another

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the guard delivered the criminal to the police
  • render up the prisoners
  • render the town to the enemy
  • fork over the money

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: hand over, fork over, fork up, turn in, deliver, render

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: pass, hand, reach, pass on, turn over, give

Narrower terms: bail, give away

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.