Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Wages Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

💵
Add to dictionary

wages

[weɪdʒɪz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in a job

Payment for work or services, typically calculated on an hourly, daily, or piecework basis.

Synonyms

earnings, pay, salary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
wages

Commonly used to talk about the money paid to workers, especially those who are paid hourly, daily, or weekly.

  • The company increased the wages of its factory workers
  • The minimum wage is set by law
salary

Typically refers to a fixed amount of money paid to an employee on a regular basis (monthly or yearly), regardless of the number of hours worked.

  • She receives an annual salary
  • His salary is credited to his bank account at the end of every month
pay

A general term for money received from work. It can be used informally and in various professional contexts.

  • I need to discuss my pay with my manager
  • The pay for this job isn't very high
earnings

Often used in a broader sense to describe total income, which can include wages, salary, and other sources of income.

  • Her monthly earnings are quite impressive
  • The business's earnings have grown significantly this year

Examples of usage

  • He earns a good wage as a carpenter.
  • The company increased the wages of its employees.
Context #2 | Noun

economy

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

Synonyms

income, pay, salary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
wages

Commonly used to refer to hourly or daily compensation, often for manual or unskilled labor.

  • The factory workers receive their wages every Friday.
  • She earns minimum wages at the grocery store.
salary

Specifically refers to a fixed, regular payment, typically on a monthly or bi-weekly basis, often for professional or office work.

  • He was offered an attractive salary package as a software engineer.
  • Her salary doesn't reflect the amount of work she does.
pay

More informal term that refers to money received for work; can include wages, salary, or other types of earnings.

  • She is happy with her new job because the pay is much better.
  • The soldiers were dissatisfied with their pay.
income

General term for all the money an individual or business receives, covering wages, salary, bonuses, and other revenue sources.

  • His annual income includes earnings from his full-time job and freelance work.
  • Low-income families may qualify for government assistance.

Examples of usage

  • The minimum wage in this country is quite low.
  • She receives her wages at the end of each month.
Context #3 | Verb

action

Carry on (a war or campaign).

Synonyms

conduct, pursue, undertake.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
wages

Wages refer to the regular payment individuals receive from their employer, typically calculated on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis.

  • The company decided to increase the wages of all employees by 5%.
  • Her monthly wages are enough to cover her rent and other expenses.
conduct

Conduct means to organize or carry out an activity or task. It is often used in formal or professional settings.

  • The scientist will conduct an experiment to test the new hypothesis.
  • The manager will conduct a meeting to discuss the new project.
pursue

Pursue means to follow or chase with the goal of reaching or achieving something. It often implies a determined effort over time.

  • She decided to pursue a career in medicine.
  • He is pursuing his dream of becoming a professional musician.
undertake

Undertake refers to beginning or committing to a task or responsibility. It is frequently used in formal or professional contexts.

  • The team will undertake a new project to improve customer satisfaction.
  • She undertook the responsibility of organizing the event.

Examples of usage

  • The army waged a fierce battle against the enemy forces.
  • The activists waged a protest against injustice.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Economics

  • Wages can vary greatly depending on the industry and location, reflecting economic conditions and labor demand.
  • Minimum wage laws ensure that workers receive a basic level of compensation for their work, promoting fairness in the labor market.

History

  • During the Industrial Revolution, wage labor became widespread as people moved from farms to cities for factory jobs.
  • Historically, wages were often supplemented with essential goods or services, rather than just cash payments, known as 'in-kind compensation'.

Social Justice

  • Discussions about living wages emphasize that workers should earn enough to meet their basic needs, not just a legal minimum.
  • The gender pay gap highlights disparities in wages where women, on average, earn less than men for similar work, leading to ongoing social reform efforts.

Pop Culture

  • Popular films and books often explore the struggles of characters working for low wages, highlighting socio-economic challenges.
  • The phrase 'living wage' has been popularized in various media as a rallying point for labor rights and fair compensation.

Origin of 'wages'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'wages' comes from the Old French word 'wagier' meaning 'to pledge' or 'to pay'.
  • The root of the term can be traced back to the Latin word 'salarium', which referred to payments made to soldiers to buy salt.

The word 'wages' originates from the Old English 'wæge', which means 'a payment for services rendered'. It has evolved over time to represent compensation for work done. Wages have been a fundamental part of human labor since ancient times, where individuals were paid for their efforts in various forms. The concept of wages has evolved with the development of economic systems and labor laws, shaping the way people are compensated for their work.

See also: wager.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,734, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.