gratuity
noun
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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.
Examples of gratuity in a Sentence
Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024
The price does not include either gratuity or bar car purchases.
—Charles Infosino, The Enquirer, 5 July 2024
The high court agreed to hear his appeal in Snyder vs. U.S. because appeals courts in Boston and New Orleans had limited the law to bribery only and not gratuities that were paid later.
—David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2024
Tips have traditionally been a gratuity for the performance of a job well done.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gratuity 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gratuity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near gratuity
Cite this Entry
“Gratuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gratuity. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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