salary
A fixed amount of money that an employee receives at regular intervals, such as monthly or annually, for professional or office work. It is usually agreed upon in a contract and does not change based on the specific number of hours worked each week.
Examples
3 of 5I get my salary on the last Friday of every month.
I receive my monthly pay on the final Friday of the month.
The company offers a competitive salary package including health benefits.
The firm provides a high level of pay along with medical insurance.
The salary is okay, but the job is really boring.
The pay is acceptable, but the work is not interesting.
Word Family
Memory Tip
The word comes from the Latin 'sal' (salt). Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt, which was very valuable. Think of 'salary' as your 'salt money'.
Quick Quiz
The job offers a high __________, but you have to work very long hours.
Correct!
The correct answer is: salary
Examples
I get my salary on the last Friday of every month.
everydayI receive my monthly pay on the final Friday of the month.
The company offers a competitive salary package including health benefits.
formalThe firm provides a high level of pay along with medical insurance.
The salary is okay, but the job is really boring.
informalThe pay is acceptable, but the work is not interesting.
Research indicates a strong correlation between educational attainment and average annual salary.
academicStudies show a link between levels of education and yearly earnings.
We need to negotiate the starting salary before signing the employment contract.
businessWe must discuss the initial pay rate before finalizing the legal agreement.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
salary cap
a limit on the amount of money that can be spent on salaries
salary expectations
the amount of money a candidate hopes to earn
salary sacrifice
giving up part of a cash salary for other benefits
Often Confused With
Wages are usually paid hourly or weekly for manual/service work, whereas salary is a fixed annual amount for professional work.
Income refers to all money received (investments, gifts, etc.), while salary is specifically from a job.
Usage Notes
Use 'salary' when referring to professional, office-based, or management roles. It usually implies a yearly figure even if the payments are made monthly.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'salary' for part-time or low-skilled jobs where 'wage' or 'pay' is more common (e.g., saying 'salary' for a waiter).
Memory Tip
The word comes from the Latin 'sal' (salt). Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt, which was very valuable. Think of 'salary' as your 'salt money'.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'salarium', which was money given to Roman soldiers to purchase salt.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking cultures, it is often considered impolite or private to ask a person exactly how much their salary is.
Quick Quiz
The job offers a high __________, but you have to work very long hours.
Correct!
The correct answer is: salary
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
More work words
office
A1An office is a room, set of rooms, or a building where people work at desks and perform administrative tasks. It is typically the central location for a business or professional organization to conduct its daily operations.
burn the midnight oil
B2To work or study late into the night, typically to complete a specific task or meet a deadline. It implies a high level of effort or necessity during hours when most people are asleep.
colleague
B1A colleague is a person with whom you work, typically in a professional or office-based environment. The term usually refers to someone of a similar status or rank within the same organization or profession.
meeting
A2A meeting is an event where a group of people come together to talk about specific topics or make important decisions. It can happen in person or online, and is common in work, school, and social life.
deadline
B1A deadline is a specific point in time or a date by which a particular task, project, or assignment must be finished. It is used to manage schedules and ensure that work is completed within a required timeframe.
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