remuneration
ruh-myoo-nuh-RAY-shun
/rɪˌmjuːnəˈreɪʃən/
Money paid for work or a service.
A very formal word for pay, often used in contracts to include salary, bonuses, and benefits.
The story behind the word. The Latin 'munus' means a gift or a duty. Remuneration is literally the act of giving a 'gift back' (re-) in exchange for the service or duty someone performed for you.
Word relationships
- compensation: Compensation is also formal but often implies making up for something (like effort or risk).
- recompense: Recompense often refers to payment for a loss or a specific favor rather than a regular salary.
- nonpayment: The failure to pay for services rendered.
Commonly confused with
- renumeration: This is a common misspelling; 'enumerate' means to count, but 'remunerate' means to pay.
Word family
- remunerate (verb): To pay someone for services.
- remunerative (adjective): Financially rewarding.
Collocations
- remuneration package
- financial remuneration
- level of remuneration
Example sentences
- "The remuneration of the great mass of the people is very small." Economic theory.
- "The board will meet to discuss the CEO's remuneration package." Employment contract.
Memory hook
Think of 'Money' in the middle: re-MUN-eration. Remuneration = Re-Money-ration.
When not to use
Don't use this when asking a friend how much they make; use 'pay' or 'salary' instead.
Fun facts
- Misspelling this as 'renumeration' (as if it came from 'number') is one of the most common errors in business English.
Related words
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