premiums

IPA/ˈpriː.mi.əm/
KK[prˈimiəmz]IPA/ˈpriː.mi.əm/

premiums — noun

  • premiumssingular
  • premiumsesplural

1. an amount of money added to the usual price, especially when something is diffic

1.名詞B2
釋義

an amount of money added to the usual price, especially when something is difficult to find or has special qualities that people are willing to pay more for.

例句

Fans paid a premium for front-row seats at the pop star's farewell concert.

pay a premium for [something]

During winter, fresh strawberries sell at a premium in most supermarkets.

sell at a premium

同義詞
  • surcharge

    an extra fee added to a bill, more specific to services and fees

  • markup

    the amount added to the cost price, common in retail and business contexts

  • extra fee

    a more general term for any additional charge

反義詞

文法句型

pay a premium for something

be at a premium

cost a premium

用法筆記

Often appears in the fixed phrase 'at a premium', which can mean either 'at a higher price than usual' or 'in short supply'.

常見錯誤

I bought the house at premium.
I bought the house at a premium.
💡The phrase requires the article 'a' before 'premium'.
Good teachers are in premium in this area.
Good teachers are at a premium in this area.
💡Use 'at a premium', not 'in premium', to mean something is hard to find.

2. a regular amount of money that a person or business pays to an insurance company

2.名詞B2
釋義

a regular amount of money that a person or business pays to an insurance company in exchange for financial protection against future accidents, illness, loss, or damage.

例句

Nadia pays her car insurance premium in monthly installments rather than yearly.

pay [type] insurance premium

Health insurance premiums have risen sharply for small business employees this year.

insurance premiums (plural)

同義詞

文法句型

pay a premium

insurance premium(s)

用法筆記

In this sense 'premium' is countable and frequently appears in the plural form 'premiums'. The compound 'insurance premium' is common — the type of insurance (health, car, life) usually comes before 'premium'.

常見錯誤

My premium insurance is due this month.
My insurance premium is due this month.
💡The natural order places the type of insurance before 'premium', not after.

3. a type of car fuel that has a higher octane rating and is more efficient than re

3.名詞B1
釋義

a type of car fuel that has a higher octane rating and is more efficient than regular fuel, often recommended for high-performance engines.

例句

Kenji always puts premium fuel in his sports car for better engine performance.

put premium fuel in [vehicle]

The mechanic told Amara that her old sedan did not really need premium gasoline.

同義詞
反義詞
  • regular fuel

    standard grade of gasoline with a lower octane rating

  • unleaded

    standard fuel without lead additives

文法句型

premium fuel

premium gas

premium gasoline

用法筆記

In American English, this sense is often shortened to just 'premium' used as an adjective before 'gas', 'gasoline', or 'fuel'. In British English, 'super unleaded' or 'high-octane fuel' is more common.

常見錯誤

I filled the tank with a premium.
I filled the tank with premium.
💡In the fuel sense, 'premium' is uncountable, so no article is needed.

4. something extra, such as a gift, bonus, or special benefit, given to encourage s

4.名詞B2
釋義

something extra, such as a gift, bonus, or special benefit, given to encourage someone to buy a product, sign a contract, or take a particular action.

例句

The store gives customers a premium of bonus points for every dollar they spend.

give [someone] a premium of [something]

Omar received a premium of two free movie tickets when he renewed his subscription.

同義詞
  • bonus

    extra payment or reward, more common for work performance

  • incentive

    something that motivates action, often used in business

  • free gift

    something given without charge, common in retail promotions

文法句型

offer a premium

receive a premium

give [someone] a premium

常見錯誤

I got a premium from my boss for good work.
I got a bonus from my boss for good work.
💡'Premium' as a reward is more common in marketing and business transactions; 'bonus' is used for work performance.

premiums — adjective