What is gratuity? Pronunciation and usage in English

gratuity means . Learn how to pronounce and use gratuity through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of gratuity

gratuitynoun

/ɡrəˈtjuːəti//ɡrəˈtuːəti/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "gratuity" in English. It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sounds:

  • gra-: Like "gra" in "grass"
  • -tu-: This is the tricky part. It’s a short "t" sound followed by a long "oo" sound, almost like "too" but shorter. It's crucial to not overemphasize the "oo."
  • -i-: Like "i" in "bit"

2. Putting it Together:

The full pronunciation is roughly: “GRAH-tyoo-i”

Here’s a more detailed breakdown with emphasis:

  • GRAH: (Like "gra" as in grass) - Emphasis here
  • tyoo: (Short 't' then a quick 'oo' like in "too") - Emphasis on the "oo"
  • i: (Like "i" in "bit")

Tips for Sounding Right:

  • Don’t say “grat-oo-i-ty.” That's common, but it's a bit clunky.
  • The "tu" sound is key. Focus on that short “t” followed by the brief, almost whispered “oo.”
  • Listen to examples: The best way to get it right is to hear it. Here are some resources:
    • Google: Search "how to pronounce gratuity" on Google and listen to the audio results.
    • YouTube: Search for "pronunciation of gratuity" on YouTube. You'll find many videos demonstrating the correct pronunciation. (Search for videos from native English speakers).
    • Forvo: (https://forvo.com/word/gratuity/) This website has pronunciations recorded by native speakers from different regions.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you a slightly different breakdown of the sounds?

Usage and examples with the word gratuity in English

Let's break down how to use the word "gratuity" in English. It can be a little tricky because it has a slightly different meaning than you might expect based on its French origin.

1. Core Meaning: A Tip

The primary and most common use of "gratuity" is as a tip given to service providers. It’s the money you add to your bill on top of the price of the goods or service.

  • Example: "We always leave a 15% gratuity for the servers at the restaurant."
  • Example: "The hotel automatically added a gratuity of $2 per night to our bill."
  • Example: "Tipping the taxi driver was a gesture of gratitude for his good service."

2. Formal & Legal Context: A Mandatory Charge

"Gratuity" can also refer to a mandatory charge or a pre-calculated amount added to a bill by a business, particularly in certain industries. This is less common and usually involves a set percentage (like 18% or 20%) added automatically.

  • Example: “The cruise line included gratuities in the published price." (This means the cost of the tip was already baked into the overall price of the cruise.)
  • Example: “The restaurant’s policy states that gratuities will be added for parties of six or more.” (Here, it’s a rule about automatically adding a tip when a group is large.)
  • Example: “Some hotels automatically include gratuities for housekeeping and bellhops.” (Again, it’s built into the bill.)

3. Usage Notes & Nuances

  • Synonyms: “Tip,” “service charge,” “service fee” - These are often used interchangeably with "gratuity," especially when referring to a tip.
  • US vs. UK: “Gratuity” is more commonly used in the United States. In the UK, “tip” is far more prevalent. However, “service charge” is also very common in the UK, often indicating a mandatory amount.
  • Transparency is Key: It's important for businesses to be upfront about whether gratuities are included in the price or added on separately.

4. How to Avoid Confusion

To avoid misunderstanding, it's helpful to clarify when you use "gratuity." You could say:

  • “I’m adding a tip of 15%.” (Clear and straightforward)
  • “The bill includes a gratuity of 20%.” (Specifies that it's added on.)

Here’s a table summarizing the different ways to use “gratuity”:

Context Meaning Example
Most Common Tip (a voluntary amount) “We left a generous gratuity for the waiter.”
Formal/Legal Mandatory Charge “The cruise fare included gratuities.”
Industry-Specific Pre-calculated service fee "The restaurant automatically adds a 20% gratuity to large parties."

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain how gratuities are handled in a specific situation (e.g., in a restaurant, on a cruise ship)?

Synonyms for the word gratuity

Practice with vocabulary gratuity

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Many service industry employees rely on a substantial _________ to supplement their hourly wages.
  2. The management decided to offer a special _________ to the long-serving employees as a token of appreciation for their dedication.
  3. In many countries, it is customary to leave a small _________ for hotel staff who provide excellent service.
  4. The final invoice clearly detailed the labor costs, material expenses, and a separate _________ for administrative overhead.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following terms refers to an extra payment given voluntarily for good service? A) Salary B) Gratuity C) Wage D) Tip

  2. In a formal business context, what might an employer provide to an employee as a token of appreciation or as part of a retirement package? A) Reimbursement B) Stipend C) Gratuity D) Commission

  3. Which of the following payments is typically a fixed or recurring allowance given to an employee for living expenses or as part of their regular compensation, rather than an extra reward for service? A) Allowance B) Gratuity C) Stipend D) Bonus

  4. The new regulations state that a service charge (often referred to as a _________) can be automatically added to the bill for large dining parties. A) Tax B) Levy C) Gratuity D) Surcharge

  5. When discussing the performance of an investment portfolio, which term refers to the additional money earned beyond the initial capital? A) Interest B) Dividend C) Principal D) Return

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. It is customary to leave a little extra money for the server if they did a good job.

    • (Rewrite using "gratuity")

  2. The organization's services are provided free of charge, with no expectation of payment.

    • (Rewrite using a related form of "gratuity")

  3. The hotel added an 18% service charge to the final bill for our large group.

    • (Rewrite without using "gratuity", but using a suitable replacement word)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. gratuity
  2. bonus
  3. gratuity
  4. fee

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) Gratuity, D) Tip
  2. C) Gratuity
  3. A) Allowance, C) Stipend
  4. C) Gratuity
  5. A) Interest, B) Dividend, D) Return

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. It is customary to leave a gratuity for the server if they provided excellent service.
  2. The organization's services are provided gratuitously, with no expectation of payment.
  3. The hotel added an 18% surcharge to the final bill for our large group.

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