gratuity

noun

gra·​tu·​i·​ty grə-ˈtü-ə-tē 

-ˈtyü-

plural gratuities

: something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service

especially : tip

added a gratuity for the server

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Gratuity vs. Tip

Gratuity is a fancier and more formal word than tip. It occurs most often in written notices along the lines of "Gratuities accepted". Its formality makes it best suited for describing tips of the dignified, expensive variety. For the taxi driver who takes you to the superb Belgian restaurant, it's a tip; for the restaurant's maitre d', it's a gratuity.

Synonyms

• tip
• bonus
• gift

Examples of gratuity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to wage increases to keep up with the cost of living in the Boston region, the union is looking for better scheduling based on an employee’s seniority, better gratuity for workers in Fenway’s premium sections, and guardrails against the use of automation. —Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 25 July 2025

Stand worker Amanda Savage said the loss of gratuities watching over the machines has cut her wages in half. —Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 24 July 2025

Tickets for the Ayiti Spaghetti pop-up are $68 per person, which includes tax, gratuity and a $3 donation to Forgotten Harvest. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 17 July 2025

The Courier Journal's third At the Table event will be held starting at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at Decade, 1076 E. Washington St. Tickets are $100 per person, which includes gratuity. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

see gratuitous

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gratuity

• acuity
• annuity
• circuity
• congruity
• fatuity
• tenuity
• vacuity
• ambiguity
• contiguity
• continuity
• incongruity
• ingenuity

Kids Definition

gratuity

noun

gra·​tu·​i·​ty

grə-ˈt(y)ü-ət-ē

plural gratuities

: something given freely

especially : tip entry 10