gratuity
/ɡrəˈtjuːɪti
/noun (plural gratuities)
1 formal A tip given to a waiter, taxi driver, etc.However, a special gratuity paid to a driver, for example at Christmas, may not be taxable....
- As we headed home, my mate wondered why many cafés have counter-top jars for tips if paying gratuities was not New Zealand custom.
- These gratuities are voluntary rewards given from spectators who genuinely enjoyed the battle in the ring.
Synonyms
tip, gift, present, donation, reward, handout, recompense, boon, baksheesh;
fringe benefit, bonus, extra payment, little extra, bit extra;
(gratuities) largesse, benefaction;
French pourboire, douceur
informal perk
formal perquisite
rare guerdon, lagniappe
2British A sum of money paid to an employee at the end of a period of employment: an end-of-contract gratuity of 20% of the total pay received...
- Well, as part of my pay for February, I received my gratuity for the contract period that ended December 31, 2002.
- Charitable payments or gratuities given by employers should not be deducted from awards of damages as it is important not to discourage benevolence.
- Government has been implored to intervene in the labour stand-off between the company and its workers following failure by management to pay gratuity to over 400 employees.
Origin
Late 15th century (denoting graciousness or favour): from Old French gratuité or medieval Latin gratuitas 'gift', from Latin gratus 'pleasing, thankful'.