Words / C1

MER-it/ˈmerɪt/

Merit is worth — the quality of deserving something: on merit, the merits of a case. Worth is everyday; a merit can also be a good point. Demerit is the old opposite. Do not call a quiet favouritism “merit” because nobody minuted the criterion.

Meaning

The quality of being good or deserving; a good point in an argument.

Examples

• “Promotion on merit still needs a recorded criterion, not a vibe.”
• “Worth is everyday. Deserve is the verb cousin. Merit pay is a scheme. The merits of an argument are its strengths. A vibe in the chair’s office is not merit.”

Good to know

Worth; a deserving quality. Everyday: worth. Verb cousin: deserve. A criterion must be written down.

Near in meaning

worth

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