Salary
UK /["/ˈsæləri/"]/US /["/ˈsæləri/"]/
Definition
money that employees receive for doing their job, especially professional employees or people working in an office, usually paid every month
In simple words: The money a person earns from their job.
Examples
- Her salary is enough to cover all her living expenses.
- He received a raise in his salary after the annual review.
- Many people are unhappy with their salary due to inflation.
- The salary for this position is competitive within the industry.
- She asked about the salary before accepting the job offer.
Usage notes
Used in business and employment contexts. It's appropriate in formal discussions about income but can be used informally when talking about pay. Avoid using in casual conversations without context.
Grammar pattern
salary + noun (e.g., salary increase)
Memory hint
Think of 'salary' as 'salad money'—money you can use to buy healthy food.
Collocations
- big
- generous
- good
- pay (somebody)
- command
- earn
- increase
- rise
- package
- hike
- increase
- on a salary
- an increase in salary
- a raise in salary
- a rise in salary
Synonyms
- pay
- compensation
- income
- remuneration
- earnings
Antonyms
- debt
- loss
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'wage' - salary is typically a fixed amount annually, while wage is hourly.
- Omitting 'salary' when discussing pay - remember to specify it's a salary, not another form of compensation.
- Using 'salaries' in singular contexts - make sure to match the number correctly.