wage

[ weyj ]

noun

1. Often wages. money that is paid or received for work or services, as by the hour, day, or week. Compare living wage, minimum wage.

   Synonyms: remuneration, compensation, emolument, earnings

2. Usually wages. Economics. the share of the products of industry received by labor for its work (as distinct from the share going to capital).
3. Usually wages. (used with a singular or plural verb) recompense or return:

   The wages of sin is death.

4. Obsolete. a pledge or security.

verb (used with object)

, waged, wag·ing.

1. to carry on (a battle, war, conflict, argument, etc.):

   to wage war against a nation.

   Synonyms: prosecute, undertake

2. Chiefly British Dialect. to hire.
3. Obsolete.
   1. to stake or wager.
   2. to pledge.

verb (used without object)

, waged, wag·ing.

1. Obsolete. to contend; struggle.

wage

/ weɪdʒ /

noun

1. 1. often plural payment in return for work or services, esp that made to workmen on a daily, hourly, weekly, or piece-work basis Compare salary
   2. ( as modifier )

      wage freeze

2. plural economics the portion of the national income accruing to labour as earned income, as contrasted with the unearned income accruing to capital in the form of rent, interest, and dividends
3. often plural recompense, return, or yield
4. an obsolete word for pledge

verb

1. to engage in
2. obsolete.
   to pledge or wager
3. archaic.
   another word for hire hire

Derived Forms

• ˈwagelessness, noun
• ˈwageless, adjective

Other Words From

• wageless adjective
• wageless·ness noun
• under·wage noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wage¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; (noun) Middle English: “pledge, security,” from Anglo-French; Old French guage gage ¹, from unattested Vulgar Latin wadium, from Germanic ( wed ); (verb) Middle English wagen “to pledge,” from Anglo-French wagier; Old French guagier, from unattested Vulgar Latin wadiāre, derivative of wadium

Word History and Origins

Origin of wage¹

C14: from Old Northern French wagier to pledge, from wage, of Germanic origin; compare Old English weddian to pledge, wed

Synonym Study

See pay ¹.

Example Sentences

The vote comes after the Budget saw increases in National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage.

From BBC

But there are concerns, the impact will still be felt by working people if firms decide to pass on costs through higher prices and if wage increases are restricted.

From BBC

Mr Emeny said that the combination of NI and minimum wage changes would cost his business an additional £8m, although the businesses latest results saw increased sales and profits on its food, drinks and hotels.

From BBC

The hospice sector has warned that increased employer NI contributions and rising wage bills could create a shortfall of tens of millions of pounds next year.

From BBC

In that concurrence, Ho declared that unauthorized immigration may qualify as an “invasion” under the Constitution akin to a foreign army storming over the border to wage war.

From Slate