Words / B2

k-uh-MISHUN/kəˈmɪʃn/

A commission is an official group set up to investigate, a fee paid for a sale, or a piece of paid work: a royal commission, sales commission, a commission for a portrait. Committee is close for the group sense but is often standing, not one-off; fee is everyday for the money sense. Commission is also a verb (commission a report). In speech, the inquiry / a cut of the sale / paid work is clearer than one word covering three meanings. Keep the senses apart.

Meaning

A group given official power to investigate, or a fee for a sale; also a piece of paid work.

Examples

• “A commission was set up to study the problem.”
• “A commission was appointed to examine exam appeals.”
• “Agents take a commission on each booking; the artist was commissioned to paint the hall.”

Good to know

Official inquiry group; a sales fee; paid work. Verb: commission a painting/report. Everyday: inquiry / fee / paid job. Close (group): committee.

Near in meaning

inquiry

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