Meaning & use
perquisites
Last updated
“perquisites” is a form of “perquisite”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluralformal
Extra benefits that come with a job in addition to the salary, such as a company car or free meals.
Grammar: Plural of perquisite: the perquisites of the role.
Patterns
- perquisites of something
- perquisites that come with something
The executive's perquisites included a company car and a generous expense account.
Free tuition is one of the perquisites for university staff.
The contract lists all salary and perquisites.
nounpluralformal
Special privileges or advantages that someone is regarded as entitled to because of rank, position or status.
Grammar: Often followed by of: the perquisites of power.
Patterns
- the perquisites of power
- perquisites of rank
Access to the best seats was one of the perquisites of fame.
The senator enjoyed the perquisites of office.
Reserved parking was among the perquisites of seniority.
Common combinations
- perquisites of office
- Official travel is among the perquisites of office.
- executive perquisites
- Executive perquisites came under public scrutiny.
- salary and perquisites
- Her salary and perquisites together made the job attractive.
- perquisites of power
- Wealth and influence were the perquisites of power.
- enjoy perquisites
- Senior staff enjoy certain perquisites.
Synonyms and how they differ
- perks
- Perks is the informal everyday form, while perquisites sounds official and appears in contracts and news reports.
- fringe benefits
- Fringe benefits describes standard extras given to employees, such as insurance, and does not suggest privilege.
- privileges
- Privileges refers to special rights in general, while perquisites focuses on extras tied to a position.
- benefits
- Benefits is the neutral workplace term, covering insurance and leave as well as luxuries.
Opposites
Word family
- perquisite noun
- one extra benefit or privilege
- perk noun
- informal short form of perquisite
- perks noun
- extra benefits that come with a job
- requisite noun
- something required
Commonly confused: perquisites or prerequisites?
perquisites vs prerequisites
Prerequisites are things you must have or do before something else, such as a required course. Perquisites are extra benefits you receive.
Practice
The job's main perquisites were a company car and private health insurance. The perquisites were ___.
Choose one answer.
Perquisites are extras that come with a job. Requirements would be prerequisites, which is the tempting but different word.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “perquisites”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.