Words / C1

SUBS-uh-dee/ˈsʌbsədi/

A subsidy is money given to keep a price or service going: a farm subsidy, subsidise (verb, British -ise). Grant is a close cousin, often for a project; donation is private. Subscribe is pay for a magazine — subscriber is already in the dictionary. Do not call a salary a subsidy.

Meaning

Money given by a government or organisation to keep a price or service going.

Examples

• “A bus subsidy kept the night route alive.”
• “The night-bus subsidy was cheaper than laying on emergency taxis.”
• “To subsidise tickets is the verb; to subscribe to a journal is a different payment.”

Good to know

Public/organisational money to keep something going. Verb: subsidise. Close: grant. Mix-up: subscribe (pay to receive). Not wages.

Near in meaning

grant

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