# paycheck

/ˈpeɪˌtʃɛk/ (US) · /pˈeɪtʃɛk/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/paycheck
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

the money you earn from your job, usually paid every week or month. It can be a physical piece of paper or a direct payment into your bank account.

For teachers: a check or electronic transfer issued to an employee for services rendered. Often used metonymically to refer to the total amount of one's salary or wages.

## Examples

- I get my paycheck on the last Friday of every month.
- After working overtime for two weeks, she was happy to see a much larger paycheck than usual.
- Many young professionals in the city find it difficult to save money, as high rent costs often consume more than half of their monthly paycheck.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in American English; 'payslip' or 'salary' are more frequent in British English.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.