Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense wages, present participle waging, past tense, past participle waged
1. countable noun
Someone's wages are the amount of money that is regularly paid to them for the work that they do.
His wages have gone up.
This may end efforts to set a minimum wage well above the poverty line.
Synonyms: payment, pay, earnings, remuneration More Synonyms of wage
2. verb
If a person, group, or country wages a campaign or a war, they start it and continue it over a period of time.
...the three factions that had been waging a civil war. [VERB noun]
They waged a price war. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: engage in, conduct, pursue, carry on More Synonyms of wage
usage note: When used as a noun, pay is a general word which you can use to refer to the money you get from your employerfor doing your job. Manual workers are paid wages, or a wage. The plural is more common than the singular, especially when you are talking aboutthe actual cash that someone receives. Every week he handed all his wages in cash to his wife. Wages are usually paid, and quoted, as a weekly sum. ...a starting wage of five dollars an hour. Professional people and office workers receive a salary, which is paid monthly. However, when talking about someone's salary, you usuallygive the annual figure. I'm paid a salary of £15,000 a year. Your income consists of all the money you receive from all sources, including your pay.
More Synonyms of wage
wage in British English
(weɪdʒ)
noun
1.
a. (often plural)
payment in return for work or services, esp that made to workmen on a daily, hourly, weekly, or piece-work basis
Compare salary
b.
(as modifier)
wage freeze
2. (plural) economics
the portion of the national income accruing to labour as earned income, as contrasted with the unearned income accruing to capital in the form of rent, interest, and dividends
3. (often plural)
recompense, return, or yield
4. an obsolete word for pledge
verb(transitive)
5.
to engage in
6. obsolete
to pledge or wager
7. archaic another word for hire (sense 1), hire (sense 2)
Derived forms
wageless (ˈwageless)
adjective
wagelessness (ˈwagelessness)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old Northern French wagier to pledge, from wage, of Germanic origin; compare Old English weddian to pledge, wed
wage in American English
(weɪdʒ)
verb transitiveWord forms: waged or ˈwaging
1.
to engage in or carry on (a war, struggle, campaign, etc.)
2. Chiefly British, Dialectal
to hire
noun
3. [often pl.]
money paid to an employee for work done, and usually figured on an hourly, daily, or piecework basis
4. [usually pl.]
what is given in return; recompense; requital
, formerly the plural form was often construed as singular
“The wages of sin is death”
5. [pl.]; Economics
the share of the total product of industry that goes to labor, as distinguished from the share taken by capital
SYNONYMY NOTE: wage (also often wages) applies to money paid an employee at relatively short intervals, often daily, orweekly, esp. for manual or physical labor; salary applies to fixed compensation usually paid at longer intervals, often monthly orsemimonthly, esp. to clerical or professional workers; , stipend is a somewhat lofty substitute for , salary, or it is applied to a pension or similar fixed payment; , fee applies to the payment requested or given for professional services, as of a doctor,lawyer, artist, etc.; , pay1 is a general term equivalent to any of the preceding, but it is specifically usedof compensation to members of the armed forces; , emolument is an elevated, now somewhat jocular, substitute for , salary or wages
Word origin
ME wagen < NormFr wagier (OFr gagier) < wage (OFr gage), a stake, pledge < Frank *wadi, akin to Goth wadi, a pledge: for IE base see wed
COBUILD Collocations
wage
decent wage
fair wage
high wages
monthly wage
player wages
public sector wages
staff wages
unpaid wages
Examples of 'wage' in a sentence
wage
They claim they pay the minimum wage.
The Sun (2016)
Will employment and wages continue to support spending?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That happens either through lower wages and higher unemployment or higher inflation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He is denying British people the right to earn a decent wage to support their families.
The Sun (2016)
He was speaking at a conference in London on waging war through advanced technology.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In an era of sharply higher inflation and sluggish wages, those price increases will go down like a lead balloon.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Meanwhile there was a strike at food delivery business Deliveroo last year when it tried to move its couriers from hourly wages.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Such views may promote wage or employment inequalities,' she says.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Average hourly wages climbed by 0.4 per cent, above forecasts.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Your employee is wrong when he says you cannot deduct the money from his wages.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Real wages end up too high and employment too low.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
What is the basis for wage and hour claims?
Christianity Today (2000)
Wages may be the biggest problem when trying to keep stars.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That reduces the risk of big swings in relative prices and wages.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It could also lead to top teachers being offered big wages to work in the worst schools.
The Sun (2012)
The challenge instead is to amplify the minimum wage in smart new ways.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This brings the insecurity of little or no income until wages or benefits are paid.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Most are daily wage workers with few assets in the villages to go back for.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The squeeze on real wages continues and the prospect of a sustained consumer revival remains stalled.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Young stars are apparently annoyed at what they see as low wages.
The Sun (2015)
The vast majority of our police officers do a tremendous job and deserve decent wages.
The Sun (2011)
This was not the way to wage war.
Iain Gale Man of Honour (2007)
Unions said members had been told there was not enough money to pay wages.
The Sun (2006)
But we have to pay our wages at the end of the month.
The Sun (2010)
The very ease with which remote war can be waged may make it more likely.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The deal also compels them to reach agreement with unions to cut wages in line with foreign rivals.
The Sun (2008)
This has enabled real average hourly wages of production workers to increase 2.2%.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The average gross wage in this country is 26,000.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
A number have taken to waging campaigns of harassment against individuals.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You can wage a campaign or opt for instant action, which is more enjoyable for the casual player.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Suppose that hourly wage offers for plumbers are distributed uniformly between $15 and $30.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
Quotations
For the labourer is worthy of his hireBible: St. Luke
In other languages
wage
British English: wage /weɪdʒ/ NOUN
Someone's wages are the amount of money that is regularly paid to them for the work that they do.
His wages have gone up.
American English: wage
Arabic: أَجْر
Brazilian Portuguese: salário
Chinese: 工资
Croatian: plaća
Czech: mzda
Danish: løn
Dutch: arbeidsloon
European Spanish: sueldo
Finnish: palkka yl. päivä- tai viikkopalkka
French: salaire
German: Lohn Gehalt
Greek: ημερομίσθιο
Italian: stipendio
Japanese: 賃金
Korean: 임금
Norwegian: lønnsutbetaling
Polish: zarobek
European Portuguese: salário
Romanian: salariu
Russian: зарплата
Latin American Spanish: sueldo
Swedish: lön
Thai: ค่าจ้าง
Turkish: ücret
Ukrainian: заробітна плата
Vietnamese: tiền lương
British English: wage VERB
If a person, group, or country wages a campaign or a war, they start it and continue it over a period of time.
...the three factions that had been waging a civil war.
American English: wage
Brazilian Portuguese: empreender
Chinese: 发动运动或战争
European Spanish: luchar contra
French: faire
German: führen
Italian: intraprendere
Japanese: 行なう
Korean: 벌이다
European Portuguese: empreender
Latin American Spanish: emprender
All related terms of 'wage'
fair wage
Someone's wages are the amount of money that is regularly paid to them for the work that they do.
wage bill
the total amount of money that a company or organization pays to its employees
wage rise
the amount by which a salary is increased
wage slip
a small piece of paper with a printed record of a person's wages
annual wage
See guaranteed annual wage
award wage
(in Australia and New Zealand ) statutory minimum pay for a particular group of workers
basic wage
a person's wage excluding overtime , bonuses , etc
decent wage
Someone's wages are the amount of money that is regularly paid to them for the work that they do.
living wage
A living wage is a wage which is just enough to enable you to buy food, clothing , and other necessary things.
wage claim
the wage demanded from management for workers by their union representatives
wage clerk
a worker in an office who calculates staff wages
wage demand
the wage demanded from management for workers by their union representatives
wage drift
the change in the amount by which actual earnings exceed negotiated earnings
wage earner
a person who works for wages , esp as distinguished from one paid a salary
wage freeze
a fixing of wages that prevents them rising above a given level
wage growth
The growth of something such as an industry, organization, or idea is its development in size, wealth , or importance .
wage packet
People's wages can be referred to as their wage packet .
wage rates
rates of pay based on per unit of production or per period of worktime on the job
wage scale
a schedule of wages paid to workers for various jobs in an industry , company, etc
wage slave
a person dependent on a wage or salary
wage spread
the difference in wages paid to workers in an industry or profession
minimum wage
The minimum wage is the lowest wage that an employer is allowed to pay an employee , according to a law or agreement .
monthly wage
Someone's wages are the amount of money that is regularly paid to them for the work that they do.
wage increase
the amount by which a salary is increased
wage bargaining
discussions between representatives of employees and employers in order to agree levels of pay
wage incentive
additional wage payments intended to stimulate improved work performance
wage indexation
the linking of wages to an index representing the cost of living, so that they are automatically adjusted up or down as that rises or falls
wage restraint
an agreement not to demand or pay large wage increases
wage settlement
an agreement over wages following negotiations between workers and employers
subsistence wage
the lowest wage upon which a worker and his or her family can survive
wage determination
the process of setting wage rates or establishing wage structures in particular situations
wage differential
the difference in wages between workers with different skills in the same industry or between those with comparable skills in different industries or localities
wage negotiations
talks between workers and employers over rates of pay
wage-price spiral
a situation in which wage and price increases drive each other upward and cause inflation
base pay
the basic rate of pay for a particular job exclusive of overtime pay, bonuses , etc.
wages bill
the total amount of money that a company or organization pays to its employees
wages slip
a small piece of paper with a printed record of a person's wages
threshold wage policy
a policy whereby wages are increased in accordance with inflation
wage-push inflation
an inflationary trend caused by wage increases that in turn cause rises in production costs and prices
wages claim
the wage demanded from management for workers by their union representatives
wages clerk
a worker in an office who calculates staff wages
guaranteed annual wage
a provision in a contract with an employer guaranteeing the employee a minimum income or work over a period of one year
wages freeze
a fixing of wages that prevents them rising above a given level
incentive pay
additional pay, a higher wage , or a bonus paid to promote the productivity of an employee
wages settlement
an agreement over wages following negotiations between workers and employers
threshold policy
a policy whereby wages are increased in accordance with inflation
Chinese translation of 'wage'
wage
(weɪdʒ)
n(c)
(also wages) 工资(資) (gōngzī) (份, fèn)
vt
[war, campaign]发(發)动(動) (fādòng)
a day's wages一天的工资(資) (yī tiān de gōngzī)
to wage war (against or on sth)(对(對)某事)开(開)战(戰) ((duì mǒushì) kāizhàn)
(noun)
Definition
the money paid in return for a person's work, esp. when paid weekly or daily rather than monthly
efforts to set a minimum wage well above the poverty line
Synonyms
payment
It is reasonable to expect proper payment for this work.
pay
the workers' complaints about pay and conditions
earnings
remuneration
I shall expect some remuneration for my trouble.
fee
How much will the solicitor's fee be?
reward
They last night offered a £10,000 reward.
compensation
He received one year's salary as compensation for loss of office.
income
Over a third of their income is from advertising.
allowance
The boy was given an allowance for his own needs.
recompense
He demands no financial recompense for his troubles.
stipend
emolument
details of emoluments received by company directors
(plural noun)
He was reaping the wages of sin.
Synonyms
rewards
returns
deserts
retribution
just deserts
requital
(verb)
Definition
to engage in (a campaign or war)
the three factions that had been waging a civil war
Synonyms
engage in
conduct
pursue
Japan would continue to pursue the policies laid down at the summit.
carry on
undertake
practise
He practised as a lawyer for thirty years.
prosecute
To prosecute this war is costing the country fifteen million pounds a day.
proceed with
Quotation
For the labourer is worthy of his hire [Bible: St. Luke]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of allowance
Definition
an amount of money given at regular intervals
The boy was given an allowance for his own needs.
Synonyms
pocket money,
grant,
fee,
payment,
consideration,
ration,
handout,
remittance
in the sense of compensation
Definition
payment made as reparation for loss or injury
He received one year's salary as compensation for loss of office.
Synonyms
reparation,
damages,
payment,
recompense,
indemnification,
offset,
remuneration,
indemnity,
restitution,
reimbursement,
meed (archaic),
requital
in the sense of emolument
Definition
fees or wages from employment
details of emoluments received by company directors
Synonyms
fee,
pay,
return,
benefit,
profits,
gain,
payment,
wages,
reward,
hire,
earnings,
salary,
compensation,
remuneration,
recompense,
stipend
Synonyms of 'wage'
wage
Explore 'wage' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fee
Definition
a payment asked by professional people for their services
How much will the solicitor's fee be?
Synonyms
charge,
pay,
price,
cost,
bill,
account,
payment,
wage,
reward,
hire,
salary,
compensation,
toll,
remuneration,
recompense,
emolument,
honorarium,
meed (archaic)
in the sense of income
Definition
the total amount of money earned from work or obtained from other sources over a given period of time
Over a third of their income is from advertising.
Synonyms
revenue,
gains,
earnings,
means,
pay,
interest,
returns,
profits,
wages,
rewards,
yield,
proceeds,
salary,
receipts,
takings
in the sense of pay
Definition
money given in return for work or services
the workers' complaints about pay and conditions
Synonyms
wages,
income,
payment,
earnings,
fee,
reward,
hire,
salary,
compensation,
allowance,
remuneration,
takings,
reimbursement,
hand-outs,
recompense,
stipend,
emolument,
vacation pay (Canadian),
meed (archaic)
in the sense of practise
Definition
to work at (a profession)
He practised as a lawyer for thirty years.
Synonyms
work at,
pursue,
carry on,
undertake,
specialize in,
ply your trade
in the sense of prosecute
Definition
to continue to do (something)
To prosecute this war is costing the country fifteen million pounds a day.
Synonyms
conduct,
continue,
manage,
direct,
pursue,
work at,
carry on,
practise,
engage in,
discharge,
persist,
see through,
follow through,
persevere,
carry through
in the sense of pursue
Definition
to follow the guidelines of (a plan or policy)
Japan would continue to pursue the policies laid down at the summit.
Synonyms
engage in,
follow,
perform,
conduct,
wage,
tackle,
take up,
work at,
carry on,
practise,
participate in,
prosecute,
ply,
go in for,
apply yourself to
in the sense of recompense
Definition
compensation for loss or injury
He demands no financial recompense for his troubles.
Synonyms
compensation,
pay,
payment,
satisfaction,
amends,
repayment,
remuneration,
reparation,
indemnity,
restitution,
damages,
emolument,
indemnification,
requital
in the sense of remuneration
I shall expect some remuneration for my trouble.
Synonyms
payment,
income,
earnings,
salary,
pay,
return,
profit,
fee,
wages,
reward,
compensation,
repayment,
reparation,
indemnity,
retainer,
reimbursement,
recompense,
stipend,
emolument,
meed (archaic)
in the sense of reward
Definition
a sum of money offered for finding a criminal or missing property