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
Prices here and below are per person and do not include taxes, gratuity or any other service fees.
—
Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2025
Horror stories of mystery charges, lost credit cards, or bars adding gratuities without consent have circulated widely on TikTok and Reddit.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 13 June 2025
Groups of two or four can book the experience that includes a welcome sake, two cocktails of choice from the specialty menu, and bar snacks ($75, including tax and gratuity).
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
The high court’s June 26 decision determined, among other matters, that the payment to Snyder from the Buha brothers, owners of Great Lakes Peterbilt, was a gratuity because Snyder received the money, reportedly for consulting work, after the business got the garbage truck contracts and not before.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 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.
Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2025
Horror stories of mystery charges, lost credit cards, or bars adding gratuities without consent have circulated widely on TikTok and Reddit.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 13 June 2025
Groups of two or four can book the experience that includes a welcome sake, two cocktails of choice from the specialty menu, and bar snacks ($75, including tax and gratuity).
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
The high court’s June 26 decision determined, among other matters, that the payment to Snyder from the Buha brothers, owners of Great Lakes Peterbilt, was a gratuity because Snyder received the money, reportedly for consulting work, after the business got the garbage truck contracts and not before.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 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 27 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share