perks
PERKS
/pɜːrks/
Non-monetary benefits or advantages provided by an employer in addition to a salary.
'Perks' is the informal, shortened version of 'perquisites.' It usually refers to 'lifestyle' extras like free coffee, gym memberships, or a company car, rather than 'essential' benefits like health insurance.
The story behind the word. 'Perks' is a 19th-century shortening of 'perquisite.' The Latin root 'perquirere' means 'to search for diligently.' Historically, a perquisite was something a person was entitled to 'search out' and keep as a profit of their office, beyond their regular pay.
Word relationships
- benefits: Benefits usually refers to serious things like insurance and retirement; perks refers to the fun extras.
- fringe benefits: Fringe benefits is the more formal, HR-approved term for perks.
Commonly confused with
- allowance: An allowance is cash given to you; a perk is a service or item provided for you.
Word family
- perk (noun): Singular form of perks.
Collocations
- job perks
- employee perks
- perks of the office
- added perks
Example sentences
- "The perks of the job included a company car and an unlimited supply of snacks." Discussing the benefits of a tech job.
- "Free travel is one of the many perks of being a Member of Parliament." A comment on political advantages.
Memory hook
PERKS 'PERK' you up! They make a boring job more exciting. Extras that perk you up.
When not to use
In a formal legal contract, use the full word 'perquisites' or 'benefits' instead of 'perks.'
Fun facts
- The most common perk in modern offices is free coffee.
- In the 1920s, a common 'perk' for domestic servants was the right to keep leftover food from the master's table.
Explore more words
Amenities, amenity, complimentary, discretionary, payoff, ancillary
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