IPA: /ˈpriːpeɪ/
KK: /priˈpeɪ/
To make a payment in advance before receiving a service or product.
I decided to prepay for my hotel room to avoid any issues at check-in.
Past: prepaid
Past Participle: prepaid
Prepay → It is formed from "pre-" (meaning before) and "pay" (from Old French *paier*, meaning to give money). The word "prepay" means to pay for something before it is due or before receiving the service or product.
Think of paying 'before' ('pre-') you receive something — that's what prepay means.