noun phrase · neutral
minimum wage
UK/ˈmɪnɪməm weɪdʒ/US/ˈmɪnəməm weɪdʒ/MIN·i·mum WAGE
the lowest hourly, daily or monthly pay that employers are legally allowed to pay workers
Examples
“Raising the minimum wage is a hot topic in the election.”
“Many argue that a higher minimum wage reduces poverty.”
“Small businesses sometimes struggle to afford increases in the minimum wage.”
Band 8 sentence
“While raising the minimum wage can alleviate short‑term poverty, policymakers must assess potential impacts on employment and small businesses.”
Collocations
- increase the minimum wage
- set a minimum wage
Word family
Common mistakes
minimum salary→minimum wage
the minimum of wage→the minimum wage
Say it for a higher band
5lowest wage→6basic pay→7+minimum wage
Synonyms
floor wage
Easily confused
living wage
“Many campaigners demand a living wage rather than just the legal minimum.”
Related words
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In Society & Government
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