pourboire
/'puəbwɑ:/
Definition
Noun: A pourboire is a relatively small amount of money given voluntarily to someone for a service they have provided, typically as a token of appreciation. It is synonymous with a tip or gratuity, especially in contexts like restaurants, hotels, or taxis.
Usage
The word pourboire is used to refer specifically to the extra money given to service staff, such as waiters, bellhops, or drivers, in addition to the official charge for the service. It is a formal or somewhat old-fashioned term, borrowed from French.
Examples
- The service was exceptional, so I left a generous pourboire on the table.
- In many cultures, a pourboire is an expected part of a service worker's income.
- He discreetly handed the concierge a pourboire for his helpful advice.
Advanced Usage
- "To give a pourboire": To offer a tip.
- It is customary to give a pourboire to the tour guide at the end of the day.
- "As a pourboire": Functioning as or intended to be a tip.
- He offered the change as a pourboire.
Variants and Related Words
- Tip (n): The most common and direct synonym for pourboire.
- Gratuity (n): A more formal term for a tip, often used in official contexts.
- Baksheesh (n): A term used in parts of Asia and the Middle East for a tip, bribe, or alms.
Synonyms
- Tip
- Gratuity
- Perquisite (often shortened to "perk")
Related Phrases
- Service charge: A mandatory fee added to a bill, distinct from a voluntary pourboire.
- To tip someone: The common verb phrase meaning to give someone a pourboire.
Noun
-
a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter)
