Wage Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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wage

[weɪdʒ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

salary

A fixed regular payment, typically paid on a monthly or biweekly basis, made by an employer to an employee.

Synonyms

income, pay, salary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wage	Typically used when referring to earnings received on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis, especially for manual or unskilled work. He earns a good hourly wage at the factory. They are fighting for better wages and working conditions.
salary	Refers to a fixed, regular payment, typically paid on a monthly or bi-weekly basis for professional or non-manual work. Often associated with annual amounts. She has a high salary because she is a lawyer at a big firm. They discussed my salary during the job interview.
pay	Broad term for the money received by someone for doing their job. It can be used casually and is not as formal as 'salary'. He is happy with the pay at his new job. What is the average pay for a teacher in this district?
income	General term for all types of money earned, either from work, investments, or other sources. It can be used in both personal and business contexts. Her annual income includes salary, bonuses, and rental income. Tax returns must be filed based on your total income.

Examples of usage

The company offers competitive wages to attract top talent.
She received a raise in her wage after completing her training.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

work

Carry on (a war or campaign).

Synonyms

conduct, pursue, undertake.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wage	Use 'wage' when referring to engaging in a sustained effort or activity, often in the context of conflict, war, or a campaign. It often has a serious or formal tone. They decided to wage a campaign against climate change. The country is waging a war on terror.
conduct	Employ 'conduct' when referring to organizing and managing the execution of a process, activity, or event. It is often used in formal or professional settings. The scientists conducted an experiment to test their hypotheses. The company will conduct a survey to understand customer satisfaction.
pursue	Select 'pursue' when describing the act of following or chasing after a goal, ambition, or a person persistently. It often implies a prolonged effort. She decided to pursue a career in medicine. The police are pursuing a suspect in the robbery case.
undertake	Use 'undertake' when referring to the act of beginning and committing to a task, project, or responsibility. It suggests a sense of obligation or commitment. He decided to undertake the renovation of the old house. The company will undertake a major restructuring next year.

Examples of usage

The soldiers waged a fierce battle against the enemy.
The activists waged a protest to raise awareness.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'wage'

The word 'wage' originated in the late Middle English period, derived from the Old North French 'wage' meaning a pledge or security. It originally referred to a payment made to a soldier or servant. Over time, the meaning expanded to include regular payments made by an employer to an employee for their work.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,033, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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