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

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Etymology

Origin of gratuity

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

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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

Increase in the daily gratuity charge on board Celebrity Cruises, with rates now ranging from $19.50 to $24.50 per passenger, following a $1-per-day hike at Carnival Cruise Line.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 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

She cashed the $492 death gratuity and moved to San Bernardino, soon joined by her oldest daughter, Mildred.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2024

“Yes,” Bacchus said, “although with demigod parties of five or more the gratuity is included, so that wasn’t necessary.”

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

Luxury cruises are generally all-inclusive, with food, drinks and gratuities factored into the total price.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 18, 2026

Ridley-Thomas’ lawyers had already accused prosecutors of conflating bribery and gratuities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2024

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

As compared with those under his own control, they were slow, irregular, and, owing to the system of gratuities, costly.

From The History of the Post Office From Its Establishment Down to 1836 by Herbert Joyce

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Related Words

• bonus
• fringe benefit
• perk

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