fringe benefit

American  

noun

1. any of various benefits, as free life or health insurance, paid holidays, a pension, etc., received by an employee in addition to regular pay.

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fringe benefit British  

noun

1. an incidental or additional advantage, esp a benefit provided by an employer to supplement an employee's regular pay, such as a pension, company car, luncheon vouchers, etc

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fringe benefit Cultural  

1. A payment to a worker in addition to salary or wages. It may take the form of cash, goods, or services, and may include such items as health insurance, pension plans, and paid vacations.

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Etymology

Origin of fringe benefit

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Flying aboard official government aircraft is considered a taxable fringe benefit and any relatives who travel with the president must pay taxes at the equivalent of having received a first-class seat for the same itinerary.

From Washington Times • Dec. 19, 2023

"It wasn't the reason we moved to Leicestershire but it's definitely a fringe benefit we discovered," he said.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2021

To treat cash as a "fringe benefit" would imply that the term covers all employee compensation.

From Salon • Jul. 4, 2021

Slap on some hand cream and take solace in knowing your fretting can have a fringe benefit.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2020

A fringe benefit, one imagines, is to let out a little steam.

From New York Times • Oct. 9, 2018

Related Words

• compensation package
• perk
• perquisite