tip
A tip is a small amount of extra money given to someone like a waiter or driver to thank them for good service. It can also refer to a useful piece of advice or information that helps you do something better.
Examples
3 of 5I left a small tip on the table for the waiter.
I left a small extra payment on the table for the waiter.
The gratuity, or tip, is included in the final bill for large groups.
The extra service charge, or tip, is part of the final bill for big groups.
Thanks for the tip about the cheap hotel near the station!
Thanks for the advice about the low-cost hotel near the station!
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word TIP as an acronym for 'To Insure Promptness'—money you give to make sure you get fast and good service.
Quick Quiz
The taxi driver was very helpful with my bags, so I gave him a $5 ____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: tip
Examples
I left a small tip on the table for the waiter.
everydayI left a small extra payment on the table for the waiter.
The gratuity, or tip, is included in the final bill for large groups.
formalThe extra service charge, or tip, is part of the final bill for big groups.
Thanks for the tip about the cheap hotel near the station!
informalThanks for the advice about the low-cost hotel near the station!
Academic studies show that the size of a tip is not always linked to service quality.
academicResearch shows that how much extra money people give is not always based on how good the service was.
Please include any tip you paid in your travel expense report.
businessPlease list any extra service money you paid in your business travel report.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
at the tip of my tongue
about to remember a word but cannot quite say it
the tip of the iceberg
a small part of a much bigger problem
take a tip from
follow someone's advice
Often Confused With
Advice is uncountable (some advice), while a tip is a countable piece of advice (a tip).
The bill is the total cost of the goods; a tip is the extra money given voluntarily.
Usage Notes
When referring to money, 'tip' is common in many English-speaking countries. In the context of advice, it usually refers to something small, practical, and helpful.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'an advice' when they should use 'a tip'. They also sometimes forget that 'tip' is a countable noun and requires 'a' or 'the'.
Memory Tip
Think of the word TIP as an acronym for 'To Insure Promptness'—money you give to make sure you get fast and good service.
Word Origin
Originally 17th-century thieves' slang meaning 'to give' or 'to hand over'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In the United States, leaving a 15-20% tip at restaurants is expected, while in Japan, tipping can sometimes be seen as impolite.
Quick Quiz
The taxi driver was very helpful with my bags, so I gave him a $5 ____.
Correct!
The correct answer is: tip
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
A person, usually a man, who works in a restaurant and serve...
serviceService is the act of helping or doing work for another pers...
customerA customer is a person or organization that buys goods or se...
restaurantA restaurant is a public place where people pay to sit and e...
moneyMoney consists of coins and banknotes used to pay for goods,...
More Travel words
train
A1A train is a connected series of vehicles that move along metal tracks to carry people or goods from one place to another. It usually consists of an engine and several carriages or wagons.
taxi
A1A car with a driver that you pay to take you exactly where you want to go. It usually has a sign on top and a meter inside to calculate the cost of the trip.
subway
A1A subway is an underground electric railway system used for transporting passengers in a city. It provides a fast way to travel long distances while avoiding street-level traffic.
bicycle
A1A vehicle with two wheels that you sit on and move by pushing pedals with your feet. It is a popular form of transportation for short distances and a common way to exercise.
motorcycle
A1A motorcycle is a vehicle with two wheels that is powered by an engine. It is used for fast travel and usually carries one or two people.
backpack
A1A bag with shoulder straps that allows you to carry items on your back, leaving your hands free. It is commonly used by students for school or by travelers and hikers to carry their belongings.
map
A1A map is a visual representation or drawing of an area, such as a city, country, or the entire world. It shows physical features like roads, rivers, and landmarks to help people find locations or navigate from one place to another.
passenger
A1A passenger is a person who travels in a vehicle, such as a car, bus, train, or airplane, but is not driving it or working on it. They usually pay a fare or have a ticket to travel from one place to another.
hostel
A1A budget-friendly type of accommodation where guests usually rent a bed in a shared room (dormitory) and share common facilities like a kitchen or lounge. It is popular among students, backpackers, and young travelers looking for an affordable way to stay in a city.
reservation
A1A reservation is an arrangement you make in advance to keep a seat, a table, or a room for yourself. It ensures that you have a place when you arrive at a hotel, restaurant, or on a train.
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