gratuity

[ gruh-too-i-tee, -tyoo- ]

noun

, plural gra·tu·i·ties.

1. a gift of money, over and above payment due for service, as to a waiter or bellhop; tip.
2. something given without claim or demand.
3. British.
   1. a bonus granted to war veterans by the government.
   2. a bonus given military personnel on discharge or retirement.

gratuity

/ ɡrəˈtjuːɪtɪ /

noun

1. a gift or reward, usually of money, for services rendered; tip
2. something given without claim or obligation
3. military a financial award granted for long or meritorious service

Word History and Origins

Origin of gratuity¹

1515–25; < Middle French gratuite, equivalent to Latin grātuī ( tus ) free + Middle French -te -ty ²

Example Sentences

The measures also address longstanding problems for the city’s estimated 65,000 food delivery workers have faced, including access to restaurant bathrooms, limiting the distance for deliveries, and disclosing gratuity policies to workers.

From Quartz

If a restaurant doesn’t add on gratuity, then I have to hope for a 10% or 15% tip on the bill, and that’s if they order an appetizer, entree, liquor and dessert.

From Time

If the recipient rebuffs a gratuity, however, you may have found yourself in the rare circumstance where it is genuinely not expected — or even allowed.

From Washington Post

This, of course, I gladly granted as well as a little parting gratuity.

From Project Gutenberg

Although the gratuity has been frequently calculated in anticipation, you fail in making the mutual reminiscences agreeable.

From Project Gutenberg

After looking over the upper part, a small gratuity of two rupees to a sailor enabled us to proceed below to see the guns.

From Project Gutenberg

"The request for a glass of water was evidently only an excuse for the bestowal of an extraordinarily large gratuity," said David.

From Project Gutenberg

They were authorized to give up Maine to the King, and even to tender him a private gratuity of two thousand guineas.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bonus
• fringe benefit
• perk