perk
PURK
/pɜːrk/
An informal benefit or advantage given to an employee or customer in addition to their salary or regular purchase.
Implies a small, pleasant extra that makes a job or transaction more attractive, rather than a core benefit.
The story behind the word. This friendly little word is actually a lazy contraction of perquisite, which comes from the Latin perquisitum, meaning 'an extra acquisition' or 'something diligently sought after' (from per- 'thoroughly' and quaerere 'to seek'). In the 19th century, British servants and workers shortened it to 'perk' to describe the small, informal privileges that came with their jobs.
Word relationships
- fringe benefit: Fringe benefit is a more formal, corporate term often used in tax and contract contexts, while perk is casual and friendly.
- bonus: A bonus is usually a direct financial payment for performance, while a perk is a non-monetary benefit or convenience.
- drawback: A drawback is a disadvantage or negative feature, whereas a perk is an extra advantage.
Commonly confused with
- perky: Perky is an adjective meaning cheerful and lively, while perk is a noun meaning an extra benefit.
Word family
- perquisite (noun): The formal, full word for perk; a benefit which one enjoys or is entitled to on account of one's job or position.
Collocations
- added perk
- employee perk
- nice perk
- perks of the job
Idioms & expressions
- perk up
Example sentences
- "Free gourmet lunches and an on-site gym are just some of the perks of working at our tech startup." Job description
- "As a loyalty member, you will receive perks like late checkout and a complimentary welcome drink." Hotel loyalty brochure
Memory hook
Think of a hot cup of coffee 'perking' you up—a perk is a little extra that makes your day better. Perk: A little extra to make you smile.
When not to use
Do not use for major, legally mandated benefits like health insurance or basic consumer rights.
Fun facts
- The transition of 'perquisite' to 'perk' was initially considered slang in British offices before becoming standard business English worldwide.
Explore more words
perks, remuneration, amenity, bonus, complimentary, discount
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