baksheesh

or bak·shish, bak·shis

[ bak-sheesh, bak-sheesh ]

/ ˈbæk ʃiʃ, bækˈʃiʃ /

(in the Near and Middle East)

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noun

a tip, present, or gratuity.

verb (used with or without object)

to give a tip.

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Origin of baksheesh

First recorded in 1615–25, baksheesh is from the Persian word bakhshish gift

Words nearby baksheesh

baking soda, Bakke decision, bakkie, baklava, bakra, baksheesh, Bakst, Baku, Bakunin, bal, Bala

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use baksheesh in a sentence

In this case, at least, it was a genteel way of describing old-fashioned baksheesh.
How Good Was General Petraeus?|Justin Green|December 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But Republicans can at least be unapologetic about stuffing their pockets with Wall Street baksheesh.
Let the Democrats Win|Christopher Buckley|April 14, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The next best thing to do is to forget the wish, pay two-pence in baksheesh and ride away to get the most of a glorious view.
The Walls of Constantinople|Bernard Granville Baker
I think, by-the-way, some of these beggars only cry baksheesh from habit, and never expect to get anything.
The Ship Dwellers|Albert Bigelow Paine

It put an end to baksheesh—graft as you call it—in Thebes, and it would be valuable to-day in Cairo, I should think.
The Ship Dwellers|Albert Bigelow Paine
Five francs is a large baksheesh in Cairo, but I did not begrudge it, as matters stood.
The Ship Dwellers|Albert Bigelow Paine
Mounted men were racing off full speed to Kabul and the other big towns; those who got in first received the baksheesh.
At the Court of the Amr|John Alfred Gray

British Dictionary definitions for baksheesh

baksheesh

backsheesh

(in some Eastern countries, esp formerly)

noun

money given as a tip, a present, or alms

verb

to give such money to (a person)

Word Origin for baksheesh

C17: from Persian bakhshīsh, from bakhshīdan to give; related to Sanskrit bhaksati he enjoys

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

baksheesh

or bak·shish, bak·shis

Origin of baksheesh

Words nearby baksheesh

Words related to baksheesh

How to use baksheesh in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for baksheesh

backsheesh

Word Origin for baksheesh