noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

salary

SA-luh-ree

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Salary (noun) means a fixed regular payment, usually calculated yearly or monthly rather than by the hour, paid to an employee. Example: “She is paid a monthly salary on the last working day of each month.”

noun

A fixed regular payment, usually calculated yearly or monthly rather than by the hour, paid to an employee.

"She is paid a monthly salary on the last working day of each month."

"Her new job comes with a salary of $60,000 a year."

"He negotiated a higher salary before accepting the offer."

How to use salary

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRegular fixed pay for a job, as opposed to being paid by the hour.

Common mistake

Salary is fixed pay (monthly/yearly); wages usually refer to hourly pay that varies with hours worked.

Easily confused with

wage → stipend →

Common pairings

annual salary salary increase starting salary salary negotiation

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: salaries
Third person singular: salaries
Past tense: salaried
Comparative: more salary
Superlative: most salary

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She is paid a monthly _____ on the last working day of each month.

Etymology

From Latin salarium, "wages," from salarius, "related to salt" — possibly because it originally covered money for buying salt, though the exact history is debated.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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pay wage remuneration earnings stipend compensation

Related words

pay buy income net profit revenue payment penalty

Rhymes for salary

vary Mary nary wary diary ovary apiary canary binary ossuary January Hungary

See all rhymes for salary →

Frequently asked questions

What does “salary” mean?

The word “salary” means a fixed regular payment, usually calculated yearly or monthly rather than by the hour, paid to an employee. In plain terms, regular fixed pay for a job, as opposed to being paid by the hour.

How do you pronounce “salary”?

“Salary” is pronounced SA-luh-ree (/ˈsæləɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “salary” in a sentence?

Here is “salary” used in a sentence: “He negotiated a higher salary before accepting the offer.”

What part of speech is “salary”?

“Salary” is a noun.

Where does the word “salary” come from?

The word “salary” comes from Latin. From Latin salarium, "wages," from salarius, "related to salt" — possibly because it originally covered money for buying salt, though the exact history is debated.

Is “salary” a common word?

“Salary” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

What is the difference between a 'salary' and a 'wage'?

A salary is a fixed regular payment, usually expressed as a yearly or monthly figure, paid to an employee regardless of exact hours worked. A wage is typically calculated and paid by the hour or by output, so it can vary from one pay period to the next.

What is the difference between 'salary' and 'income'?

A salary is the fixed payment an employer gives you for your job. Income is broader and covers all money you receive, which may include salary plus other sources such as bonuses, interest, rent, or investments.

What verbs are commonly used with 'salary'?

People usually 'earn', 'draw', or 'receive' a salary, and employers 'pay' or 'offer' one. When discussing a job offer, people often 'negotiate' a salary or ask for a salary 'increase' or 'raise'.

What is the difference between a 'salary' and a 'stipend'?

A salary is regular payment for employment and is generally meant to cover a person's living and work. A stipend is usually a smaller fixed sum given to support someone during training, study, or an internship, and is not always treated as full pay for a job.

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