Definition

A document that shows the amount of money an employer pays to an employee for their work, usually issued regularly.

Example

I received my paycheck in the mail today.

Conversation

Did you see how much my last paycheck was?

No, how much did you get this time?

I got a nice bonus, so it's a lot bigger than usual!

That's awesome! You deserve it!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Paycheck → It is formed from "pay" (from Old French *paier*, meaning to satisfy or to pay) and "check" (from Old French *eschequier*, meaning a bill or a record). The word "paycheck" refers to a document that records the payment made to an employee for their work.

Memory Tip

Think of 'satisfying' a debt ('pay') and receiving a 'record' of that payment ('check'). This helps you remember that a paycheck is a record of the money you earn.

Visually Confused Words