Word
VAT
Phoneticsvat
US/ˈvæt/
UK/vˈæt/
Definitions
01tax
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun British English
n. Stands for Value Added Tax. A type of tax you pay when you buy goods or services.
n. Abbreviation for Value Added Tax. An indirect tax on the consumption of goods and services, usually collected at each stage of the supply chain.
“The price of the new laptop includes VAT at the standard rate.”
“Small business owners must register for VAT once their annual turnover exceeds the specific threshold set by the government.”
Synonyms
02large container
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technical
n. a very large tank or tub used for holding or mixing liquids, especially in a factory.
n. a large vessel, cistern, or tub used for holding, mixing, or storing liquids during industrial processes like brewing or tanning.
“The wine was aged in a giant oak vat for several months.”
“Workers monitored the temperature of the chemical vat to ensure the dye bonded correctly with the fabric.”
03to store in a tank
C2 · Proficiency Cooking Technical · Formal
v. to put or store a liquid in a large industrial container.
v. to place or treat a liquid within a large industrial vessel, often for the purpose of blending or aging.
“The distillery will vat the whiskey before it is bottled for sale.”
“The master blender decided to vat the different vintages together to achieve a more consistent flavor profile.”
Usage
Usually treated as uncountable when referring to the tax system, but countable when referring to a specific tax payment or bill.
Pitfall
The VATs are increasing
VAT is increasing
When referring to the tax system in general, the word is uncountable and should not be pluralized.
Real-World Examples
“VAT will be cut on electricity bills in October.” “It has also cut business rates for pubs and axed VAT from electricity bills.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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