GRATUITY

gratuity

(noun) an award (as for meritorious service) given without claim or obligation

gratuity, tip, pourboire, baksheesh, bakshish, bakshis, backsheesh

(noun) a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter)

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

gratuity (plural gratuities)

An additional payment given freely as thanks for service.

Euphemistic form of fee, in contexts where such additional payments have been made obligatory.

Euphemistic form of bribe.

Synonyms

• (additional payment offered in thanks): douceur, grace, pourboire, tip; baksheesh (Turkish and Middle Eastern contexts); cumshaw (SE Chinese contexts; archaic); see also gift

• (obligatory fee): service charge; douceur, tip (euphemistic)

• (bribe): bribe

• (additional gift from a vendor): lagniappe

Source: Wiktionary


Gra*tu"i*ty, n.; pl. Gtratuities. Etym: [F. gratuité, or LL. gratuitas.]

1. Something given freely or without recompense; a free gift; a present. Swift.

2. Something voluntarily given in return for a favor or service, as a recompense or acknowledgment.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

2 May 2025

MINESHAFT

(noun) excavation consisting of a vertical or sloping passageway for finding or mining ore or for ventilating a mine


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

According to Statista, the global coffee industry is worth US$363 billion in 2020. The market grows annually by 10.6%, and 78% of revenue came from out-of-home establishments like cafes and coffee beverage retailers.

coffee icon