pourboire

9.9

A small amount of money you leave to thank someone for a service, like a waiter

noun
/ˈpʊrˌbwɑr/

Canadian

: propina

When traveling in France, it's customary to leave a small pourboire in cafés.

Examples

She slipped a pourboire into the bellhop's hand as thanks for carrying her luggage.
She always gives a generous pourboire after a good meal.
At the end of the meal, he left a generous pourboire for the waiter.
Don't forget to leave a pourboire for the waiter!
At the end of the meal, he left a generous pourboire for the waiter.
She slipped a pourboire into the bellhop's hand as thanks for carrying her luggage.
When traveling in France, it's customary to leave a small pourboire in cafés.

Synonyms

tip

vspourboire

185 1.0

A small amount of money given for a service

is used especially for waiter and similar service situations

gratuity

vspourboire

16 6.3

Extra money you give to someone for good service

is the everyday small payment, often for waiter services

baksheesh

vspourboire

1 9.9

A small amount of money given to someone for help or to get faster service

is the broader term used generally, not limited to those regions

bakshish

vspourboire

9.9

A small extra amount of money given to someone as a tip, often in South Asia

is broader and not tied to a specific regional tradition

backsheesh

vspourboire

9.9

A small tip given to someone for good service

is the universal service payment term, not regionally limited

bakshis

vspourboire

Indian

9.9

A small amount of money given as a tip for service, often in Middle Eastern or South Asian countries

is the general, widely used term for such service payments

How Big

service charge

2 3.2

gratuity

16 6.3

to tip

87 1.0

pourboire

Canadian

9.9

Surface Forms

pourboire singular

pourboires plural

Etymology

Pourboire comes from old French parts pour 'for' and boire 'to drink', because people once gave a little money 'for a drink' to thank servants. So a pourboire is the small extra money you leave as a tip.