Meaning & use
the perk
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Meaning
nouncountable
An extra benefit or advantage that comes with a job or situation, beyond the usual pay or conditions.
Grammar: Countable noun; often used in the plural: 'perks'. Can be used with 'the' or 'a'.
Patterns
- a perk of something
- perks of the job
- get a perk
- enjoy the perks
Free coffee is one of the perks of working here.
The job doesn't pay much, but the perks are good.
A company car is a common perk for senior managers.
Word forms
| plural | perks |
|---|
Common combinations
- perks of the job
- Travel is one of the perks of the job.
- a nice perk
- Having a gym in the office is a nice perk.
- employee perks
- The company offers many employee perks, like flexible hours.
- enjoy the perks
- She enjoys the perks of being a manager.
Synonyms and how they differ
- benefit
- More formal and general; 'benefit' can include health insurance and pensions, while 'perk' is often something extra and less essential.
- advantage
- Broader: any condition that puts you in a better position, not necessarily a job extra.
- bonus
- Usually extra money, while a perk can be a service or item.
Opposites
Word family
- perky adjective
- Cheerful and lively; not related in meaning to 'perk'.
Commonly confused: the perk or perk up?
the perk vs perk up
Phrasal verb meaning to become more lively or to make something more interesting; different from the noun 'perk'.
Practice
What does 'perk' mean in this sentence? 'A free lunch is a perk of the job.'
Choose one answer.
Option 0 is correct because 'perk' means an extra benefit beyond regular pay. Option 1 is wrong because a perk is not a duty. Option 2 is wrong because a perk is not the main salary. Option 3 is wrong because a perk is positive, not a problem.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the perk”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.