real wages

This page is about the collocation real wages

collocation pattern: adjective + noun

Meaning

the true value of wages, in terms of what you can buy with the money

For example

  • In the last thirty years, real wages have fallen for most people.

  • Both prices and wages have been rising, so real wages haven't increased at all.

Note:
Related collocations include "real earnings", "real income", "real value", etc.

Quick Quiz

"Real wages" means the actual

a. payments you receive for work

b. buying power your wages give you

c. amount you receive after paying tax
a) payments you receive for work b) buying power your wages give you c) amount you receive after paying tax

Contributor: Matt Errey