gratuity
noun
gra·tu·i·ty
grə-ˈtü-ə-tē 
-ˈtyü-
plural gratuities
: something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service
Did you know?
Gratuity vs. Tip
Gratuity is a fancier and more formal word than tip. It occurs most often in written notices along the lines of "Gratuities accepted". Its formality makes it best suited for describing tips of the dignified, expensive variety. For the taxi driver who takes you to the superb Belgian restaurant, it's a tip; for the restaurant's maitre d', it's a gratuity.
Examples of gratuity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Among Trump’s 2024 campaign promises was a vow to make service industry gratuities and overtime pay nontaxable.
—
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
Today, one of our servers received an amazing gratuity.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Priced at $130 per couple (excluding tax and gratuity), the meal includes a complimentary sparkling wine toast and begins with a Tabla Mixta (tortilla, manchego, Serrano ham, chorizo, walnuts, and olive), followed up with selections including croquetas de jamón, montaditos and carpaccio de salmón.
—Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
Getting life insurance as a veteran In addition to SGLI, families of military personnel killed in the line of duty have access to a $100,000 death gratuity, college scholarships for their children and Social Security survivor benefits for their partner.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuity
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
Today, one of our servers received an amazing gratuity.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Priced at $130 per couple (excluding tax and gratuity), the meal includes a complimentary sparkling wine toast and begins with a Tabla Mixta (tortilla, manchego, Serrano ham, chorizo, walnuts, and olive), followed up with selections including croquetas de jamón, montaditos and carpaccio de salmón.
—Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025
Getting life insurance as a veteran In addition to SGLI, families of military personnel killed in the line of duty have access to a $100,000 death gratuity, college scholarships for their children and Social Security survivor benefits for their partner.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuity
Cite this Entry
“Gratuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gratuity. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share