Meaning & use
perks in slang
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Meanings
phrasefixed phraseinformal
The informal meaning of the word 'perks', namely the extra advantages or free benefits that come with a job or situation.
Grammar: Used as a topic phrase when asking what 'perks' means in casual speech; in real sentences you normally just say 'perks'.
Patterns
- perks of the job
- perks of something
- get perks
In slang and everyday talk, 'perks' just means the little extras you get for free.
People asked about perks in slang because the word often appears in job ads and office chat.
Free meals and a company car are the perks of that job.
nounusually pluralinformal
Extra benefits, such as money, goods, or privileges, that you receive in addition to your normal pay.
Grammar: Almost always plural in this sense; the singular 'perk' is rare but possible, as in 'a nice perk'.
Patterns
- perks of the job
- perks include something
- give someone perks
The salary is not great, but the perks include free travel.
Managers sometimes get perks like a private office and a bigger budget.
She took the job mainly for the perks.
Word forms
| singular | perk |
|---|
Common combinations
- perks of the job
- Free coffee is one of the perks of the job.
- a nice perk
- Getting a discount on train tickets is a nice perk.
- perks and benefits
- The contract lists salary, perks and benefits.
- extra perks
- Senior staff enjoy extra perks such as longer holidays.
- lose your perks
- He lost his perks after moving to a smaller role.
Synonyms and how they differ
- benefits
- More formal and often used in contracts for things like health insurance, while 'perks' sounds casual and optional.
- bonus
- Usually means extra money, whereas 'perks' can be money but is often goods or privileges.
- privileges
- Suggests special rights given to a group, which is close but sounds more serious than 'perks'.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: perks in slang or perk up?
perks in slang vs perk up
This phrasal verb means to become more lively or to make something more interesting, not to receive benefits.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'perks' in the informal sense of extra advantages?
Choose one answer.
'Perks' as a noun means extra advantages, so free lunch is a perk. The other options use the verb 'perk (up)', meaning to become alert or to improve something.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “perks in slang”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.