different between kindness vs gratuity

English

Alternative forms

• kindenesse (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English kindenesse, equivalent to kind +? -ness.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?ka?ndn?s/, /?ka?ndn?s/

Noun

kindness (countable and uncountable, plural kindnesses)

1. The state of being kind.
2. An instance of kind or charitable behaviour.

   How can I thank you for your many kindnesses?

   Do me a kindness and leave.

Translations

English

Etymology

From Old French gratuite (French gratuité), from Medieval Latin gratuitas (“a free gift”), from Latin gratuitus (“freely given, free”); see gratuitous.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /????tju??t?/
• (US) IPA^(key): /????tu??t?/

Noun

gratuity (plural gratuities)

1. An additional payment given freely as thanks for service.
2. Euphemistic form of fee, in contexts where such additional payments have been made obligatory.
3. Euphemistic form of bribe.

Synonyms

• (additional payment offered in thanks): douceur, grace, pourboire, tip; baksheesh (Turkish and Middle Eastern contexts); cumshaw (SE Chinese contexts; archaic); see also gift
• (obligatory fee): service charge; douceur, tip (euphemistic)
• (bribe): Thesaurus:bribe
• (additional gift from a vendor): lagniappe

Related terms

• gratis
• gratuitous
• gratuitously

Translations

Further reading

• gratuity in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• gratuity in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.