real wages

American  

[ree-uhl, reel] / ˈri əl, ril /

plural noun

Economics.

1. wages estimated not in money but in purchasing power.

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real wages British  

plural noun

1. economics wages evaluated with reference to their purchasing power rather than to the money actually paid Compare money wages

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real wages Cultural  

1. Wages adjusted for the prevailing level of consumer prices. (See also constant dollars.)

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Etymology

Origin of real wages

First recorded in 1880–85

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

real wages

“He is all about trying to bring back jobs that will bring up real wages across the board.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026

For real wages to go up, people’s earnings have to outpace inflation.

From Slate ● Oct. 14, 2026

And while real wages initially dropped, they are back in positive territory, especially for women.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026

Italy's economy is forecast to grow a lacklustre 0.6 percent in 2026, while real wages have been virtually stagnant since the early 1990s.

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

The war brings about a dislocation of the world industry, a shrinking of capital, and in the end higher prices and a possible reduction in real wages.

From American World Policies by Walter E. Weyl

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Related Words

• net income

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