To make one's financial accounts appear more successful, stable, or secure than they really are, as by fraudulently concealing losses or by reporting false profits. Once the company's fraud came to light, it was quickly discovered that they had padded their accounts for years. Mark had taken to padding his accounts in the company to hide the losses from his husband's excessive spending habits.

To make unnecessary or fraudulent charges to one's company expense accounts for one's personal use. Have you been padding your expense account, Johnson? You're going to have to explain some of these mysterious out-of-state charges.

To fill something with cheaper or unnecessary material in order to make it appear fuller, larger, or longer. If the movie were about 30 minutes shorter, it would have actually been an exciting little action flick—unfortunately, they decided to pad it out with this completely useless love story. He padded out the costume with tissue paper to make it look more like a pumpkin.

To arrange to sleep some place, especially on a temporary basis. I'll just pad down at my brother's apartment while I look for a place to live. Where are you padding down while you're in town?

To inflate the charges made to someone for some product, meal, or service by adding extra, typically unnecessary or unwanted items or fees. Their website is really easy to use, but I hate that they pad the bill with so many fees and charges right at the very end. Don't let them pad the bill with extra services you don't want or need.