salary

/ˈsæləri/
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Fixed regular pay given in return for ongoing work.

Examples

  • Several assistants were salaried directly by the studio.
  • Before accepting the offer, he asked whether the salary was negotiable.
  • The company froze all management salaries during the downturn.
  • A higher salary would help, but flexible hours matter to me too.
  • Her salary is paid on the last working day of each month.

Similar words

pay
earnings
wages
hire
income
pay
compensation
compensate
remuneration
remunerate

Meanings

Regular fixed pay

noun
employment
neutral
A fixed sum paid regularly for a job, often expressed as a yearly amount rather than an hourly rate.

Examples

  • Her salary is paid on the last working day of each month.
  • The advertised salary ranges from $45,000 to $52,000 a year.
  • Before accepting the offer, he asked whether the salary was negotiable.
  • A higher salary would help, but flexible hours matter to me too.
  • The company froze all management salaries during the downturn.

Similar words

Pay a regular wage

verb
employment
formal
To employ someone on fixed regular pay or provide that pay.

Examples

  • She salaried the new editor rather than paying by the article.
  • The charity cannot afford to salary another full-time worker.
  • For years, the estate salaried a gardener to maintain the grounds.
  • The board agreed to salary the director from January.
  • Several assistants were salaried directly by the studio.

Similar words

Etymology

From Anglo-French salarie and Latin salarium, an allowance or payment. The familiar claim that Roman soldiers were paid directly in salt is not supported by firm evidence.

FAQ

What does salary mean?

A salary is fixed pay received regularly for a job, usually stated as a yearly amount.

What is the difference between a salary and a wage?

A salary is commonly fixed and quoted per year, while a wage is often calculated by the hour or by the amount of work done.

Can salary be a verb?

Yes. In formal use, to salary someone is to employ them on regular fixed pay.

What is the plural of salary?

The plural is salaries.

Does a salary include bonuses?

Usually not. A bonus is generally an extra payment on top of the regular salary.

Where does salary come from?

It comes through Anglo-French from Latin salarium, meaning an allowance or payment.

How is salary pronounced?

Salary is pronounced /ˈsæləri/ in General American English.

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