emoluments - Master This Word
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emoluments Word Meanings
- compensation or payment for services rendered
- salary or wages
- benefits received from an office or position
emoluments Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
emoluments Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ɪˈmɒljʊmənt/
US
/ɪˈmɑljəmənt/
emoluments Word Etymology
Root decomposition: 'e-' (out) + 'molumentum' ('to work') from Latin. Historical origin: Latin → Old French → English. Memory image: Imagine a worker receiving a coin for every task completed, symbolizing payment for effort—a direct exchange of work for reward.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Emolument is a formal noun meaning compensation or payment for services rendered, often used in legal, government, or corporate contexts. It covers salary, wages, and other benefits that come with holding a position, and it is frequently paired with phrases such as emoluments of office or private emoluments. Because emolument is a somewhat old-fashioned term, learners often confuse it with ordinary pay or perks and may overgeneralize it to casual work. Its root lies in Latin emolumentum, through Old French, signaling the idea of extracting value from labor. In practice, discussions about emoluments tend to emphasize official, measurable compensation rather than informal rewards.
Usage Reminders
- Use emolument in formal writing about official pay
- Prefer phrase emoluments of office for government roles
- Don’t use emolument for casual or hourly work
- Avoid inflecting it with modern, informal slang
- Pair with related terms like salary, wages, or benefits to clarify scope
Common Misconceptions
- It means any kind of pay, including tips or a casual wage
- It is the same as salary in everyday conversation
- It only refers to cash payments, not benefits
- It is a modern term used in HR
- It can replace 'salary' in legal documents
Thinking Differences
Emolument carries a formal, historical tone in English; learners should remember it rarely appears in speech and is tied to official roles and benefits, not casual pay.
Learning Tips
- memorize the phrase emoluments of office
- note its formal tone in legal contexts
- distinguish from salary in everyday speech
- practice with official documents
- link to related terms like salary, wages, benefits
- use in past or historical contexts to sound precise
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