Words / B2

TAR-if/ˈtærɪf/

A tariff is a tax on imports or exports: raise a tariff; tariff barriers. It is also a price list for a service (an energy tariff). Duty and levy are related tax words. Do not mix tariff with terriff (not a word) or terrific. UK news: energy tariffs; trade tariffs after deals change.

Meaning

A tax on imported or exported goods; also a list of prices for a service.

Examples

• “A new tariff on steel raised costs for manufacturers.”
• “She switched energy tariff when the cap rose, which is the price-list sense.”

Good to know

a trade / import tariff; raise / cut tariffs. Energy: an energy tariff. Related: duty / levy. Mix-up: terrific. Not a supermarket sticker price.

New