gratuity

American  

[gruh-too-i-tee, -tyoo-] / grəˈtu ɪ ti, -ˈtju- /

noun

• gratuities
  plural

1. a gift of money, over and above payment due for service, as to a waiter or bellhop; tip.

2. something given without claim or demand.

3. British.

   1. a bonus granted to war veterans by the government.

   2. a bonus given military personnel on discharge or retirement.

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gratuity British  

/ ɡrəˈtjuːɪtɪ /

noun

1. a gift or reward, usually of money, for services rendered; tip

2. something given without claim or obligation

3. military a financial award granted for long or meritorious service

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• gratuities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of gratuity

1515–25; < Middle French gratuite, equivalent to Latin grātuī ( tus ) free + Middle French -te -ty ²

Explanation

A gratuity is a tip that's given by a customer in exchange for services. You might leave a gratuity of several dollars when you eat lunch in a restaurant or when you get your hair cut. A gratuity is usually a relatively small amount of money, a percentage of the total cost of a purchase or service. A gratuity doesn't pay for the goods purchased — it's a separate reward to the person who did the work. For example, in the United States, waiters and waitresses typically expect a gratuity of between 18 and 20 percent of the total cost of a meal.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gratuity gratuities

Shake Shack denied charging “no tip” fees after a viral TikTok appeared to show menu prices jumping when a customer declined a gratuity, blaming the error on a kiosk malfunction.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

A spokeswoman for Efling Union, the second-largest union in Iceland, says this has led to a number of restaurants in the country asking customers if they want to add a gratuity when they pay.

From BBC ● May 27, 2026

The status quo may prevail, tip screens and all, but consumers may begin to decide whether they really want to tip 30% or if they will just skip the gratuity altogether, experts say.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 24, 2025

Ototo, a sake bar in Echo Park, charges dine-in guests an “18% fair wage and operational fee” that is not a gratuity for staff.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2023

“No, no, Captain Tate. I’ll take no gratuity from you, sir. My pleasure, sir.”

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

“The federal gift regulations and the gratuities statute exist to ensure that government decisions are made on the merits, free from the influence of private benefits,” the Democracy Defenders Fund said in its complaint.

From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026

Unite Here Local 11 demands Legends Global raise hourly wages to $40 from $28, increase gratuities, and protect workers from federal immigration agents.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

The debate is not restricted to restaurants - gratuities can be offered to many workers including hairdressers, taxi drivers and hotel porters.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2024

In this term alone, they decided that gratuities are no longer a crime that can be prosecuted at the federal level.

From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2024

Dunlap, were he speaking, might tell you of his gratuities to the unfortunate playwright and the dramatic performer.

From The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 4, November 1, 1851 by Various

Related Words

• bonus
• fringe benefit
• perk