A1 noun Formal

compensation

/ˌkɒmpenˈseɪʃən/

Compensation is money given to someone to make up for a loss, injury, or suffering. It can also mean the total amount of pay and benefits a worker receives for doing their job.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The shop gave me a free gift as compensation for the delay.

The shop gave me a free gift as compensation for the delay.

2

The court ordered the company to pay compensation to the injured worker.

The court ordered the company to pay compensation to the injured worker.

3

I got a free pizza as compensation because they forgot my order.

I got a free pizza as compensation because they forgot my order.

Word Family

Noun
compensation
Verb
compensate
Adverb
null
Adjective
compensatory
Related
compensator
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Memory Tip

Think of the word 'compensate' as a scale: you put 'money' on one side to 'balance' the 'loss' on the other side.

Quick Quiz

The airline gave the passengers money as ______ for the cancelled flight.

Correct!

The correct answer is: compensation

Examples

1

The shop gave me a free gift as compensation for the delay.

everyday

The shop gave me a free gift as compensation for the delay.

2

The court ordered the company to pay compensation to the injured worker.

formal

The court ordered the company to pay compensation to the injured worker.

3

I got a free pizza as compensation because they forgot my order.

informal

I got a free pizza as compensation because they forgot my order.

4

Modern economic theories often analyze executive compensation structures.

academic

Modern economic theories often analyze executive compensation structures.

5

Our company offers a competitive compensation package including health insurance.

business

Our company offers a competitive compensation package including health insurance.

Word Family

Noun
compensation
Verb
compensate
Adverb
null
Adjective
compensatory
Related
compensator

Common Collocations

financial compensation financial compensation
claim compensation claim compensation
receive compensation receive compensation
total compensation total compensation
workers' compensation workers' compensation

Common Phrases

in compensation for

in compensation for

compensation package

compensation package

compensation claim

compensation claim

Often Confused With

compensation vs salary

Salary is just the fixed monthly pay, while compensation includes all benefits and insurance.

compensation vs restitution

Restitution is specifically returning something stolen or lost, while compensation is paying money to cover a loss.

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Usage Notes

Use this word when talking about legal rights or work benefits. It is more formal than 'pay' or 'repayment'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'compensations' in the plural for money, but it is usually uncountable when referring to a sum of money paid for a loss.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'compensate' as a scale: you put 'money' on one side to 'balance' the 'loss' on the other side.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'compensare', meaning 'to weigh one thing against another'.

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun when referring to money followed by the preposition 'for' can be used with the verb 'seek' or 'claim'
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Cultural Context

In many Western countries, 'workers' compensation' is a mandatory insurance program that provides help to employees injured on the job.

Quick Quiz

The airline gave the passengers money as ______ for the cancelled flight.

Correct!

The correct answer is: compensation

More law words

prosecutor

A1

A prosecutor is a lawyer who works for the government. Their job is to show a court that someone has committed a crime.

defendant

A1

A defendant is a person or organization that is being accused of a crime or is being sued in a court of law. This person is required to answer the legal charges brought against them by another party.

plaintiff

A1

A person or group who brings a legal case against another in a court of law. They are the ones starting the lawsuit because they believe they have been wronged.

jury

A1

A group of ordinary people chosen to listen to the facts of a trial in a court of law. They listen to the evidence and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty.

lawsuit

A1

A lawsuit is a legal case where one person or group brings a disagreement to a court of law for a judge to decide. It usually happens when someone wants money or a specific action from another person because of a problem or injury.

proof

A1

Proof is a fact or a piece of information that shows something is true. In a legal context, it is what a person uses to convince a judge or jury that a crime happened.

misdemeanor

A1

A misdemeanor is a minor crime that is less serious than a felony. It is usually punished by a fine or a short period of time in a local jail rather than a state prison.

sentence

A1

A sentence is a punishment given by a judge to someone who has been found guilty of a crime. It explains how much time a person must spend in prison or how much money they must pay as a fine.

bail

A1

Bail is a sum of money paid to a court so that a person who has been accused of a crime can stay out of jail until their trial starts. If the person shows up for their court date, the money is usually returned.

fraud

A1

Fraud is the illegal act of tricking someone to get their money or property. It is a crime where a person lies or hides the truth to gain an unfair advantage.

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