Meaning & use
no per diem
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
Used to say that a worker will not be given a daily allowance for meals, lodging, and other costs while traveling for work.
Grammar: Often appears in job ads or company policies, usually after a form of 'be' or before a noun.
Patterns
- be no per diem
- no per diem is offered
- no per diem for something
The job posting says there is no per diem, so you will need to cover your own meals.
Some companies offer a flat salary with no per diem for travel expenses.
If there is no per diem, ask your manager about reimbursing receipts instead.
phrasefixed phrase
Not providing a daily payment to someone, such as a temporary worker or consultant, for each day worked.
Grammar: Used more broadly for any daily payment; often followed by 'for' and the person or role.
Patterns
- no per diem for someone
- work with no per diem
The contract specifies no per diem for consultants; they bill by the hour instead.
Volunteers receive no per diem, but their transport costs are covered.
He accepted the assignment with no per diem because the experience was valuable.
Common combinations
- no per diem allowance
- The policy states there is no per diem allowance for local travel.
- no per diem provided
- No per diem is provided, but hotel and flights are booked by the company.
- no per diem for meals
- There is no per diem for meals, so keep your receipts.
- offer no per diem
- Many internships offer no per diem, which can make them hard to afford.
Synonyms and how they differ
- no daily allowance
- A more general phrase that can refer to any daily payment, not just travel expenses.
- without per diem
- Means the same but often used after a verb, as in 'travel without per diem'.
Opposites
Word family
- per diem phrase
- A daily allowance or payment, especially for travel expenses.
Commonly confused: no per diem or per capita?
no per diem vs per capita
Per capita means 'for each person' and is used for statistics, not daily travel allowances.
Practice
What does 'no per diem' mean in a job advertisement?
Choose one answer.
The phrase 'no per diem' means there is no daily allowance for expenses. Option An is the opposite, option C confuses the direction of payment, and option D misreads 'per diem' as 'one day'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “no per diem”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.