ENGLISH
REFERENCE

perk

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpɝk// UK //pˈɜːk// perk Archaic Dialect Informal

n. an extra benefit you get from your job or a situation, in addition to your regular pay. It is something nice that makes a position more attractive.

n. an incidental benefit or privilege accompanying a position of employment or a particular situation. Often describes non-monetary advantages like free meals or flexible hours.


SIMPLE

Free coffee is a great perk of working here.

CONTEXTUAL

One major perk of her new job is the ability to work from home three days a week.

COMPLEX

While the salary was competitive, it was the additional perks, such as the private health insurance and the gym membership, that ultimately convinced him to sign the contract.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

Clipping of perquisite.

Etymology 2

Clipping of percolate (verb) and percolator (noun).

Etymology 3

Origin uncertain. Perhaps a metathesis of prick.

Etymology 4

The origin is uncertain. Perhaps a variant of peer + -k (frequentative ending).

Etymology 5

From Middle English perken, from Old Northern French perquer.

Usage

Often used in the plural ('perks') when discussing job benefits.

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