sharesave: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Business, Financial
Quick answer
What does “sharesave” mean?
A UK employee share scheme allowing workers to buy company shares at a discounted price through regular savings.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A UK employee share scheme allowing workers to buy company shares at a discounted price through regular savings.
A specific type of employee benefit program (formally known as a Save As You Earn scheme) where participants save money monthly from their salary to purchase company shares at a future date at a price fixed at the start, often with tax advantages.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively British. The specific 'Sharesave' scheme is a UK government initiative. In American English, similar concepts exist but are typically called 'Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs)' or 'stock purchase plans'.
Connotations
In the UK, it connotes a regulated, tax-advantaged employee benefit. In the US, the equivalent lacks this specific branded connotation.
Frequency
Common in UK HR, financial, and corporate communications. Very rare to non-existent in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “sharesave” in a Sentence
enrol in [Sharesave]participate in [the Sharesave]contribute to [Sharesave][Sharesave] maturesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sharesave” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - Not standard verb usage.
American English
- N/A - Not standard verb usage.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- She reviewed her Sharesave statement online.
- The Sharesave contribution is deducted at source.
American English
- N/A - The term is not used adjectivally in AmE.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company is promoting its Sharesave scheme to improve employee retention and alignment.
Academic
The study analysed the wealth effects of participation in Sharesave schemes on UK employees.
Everyday
I'm putting £100 a month into the Sharesave at work.
Technical
The HMRC-approved Sharesave scheme operates under Schedule 3 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sharesave”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sharesave”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sharesave”
- Using 'sharesave' as a verb (e.g., 'I sharesave monthly').
- Using it generically for any employee stock purchase, rather than the specific UK scheme.
- Misspelling as 'share save' (two words) in formal contexts where it is a proper noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. The specific 'Sharesave' name and structure refer to the HMRC-approved SAYE scheme in the UK. Multinationals may offer it to UK-based staff.
You cannot lose your saved capital. At the end of the savings period, you can choose to buy the shares at the fixed price or simply take your savings back with tax-free interest.
Sharesave involves saving money to buy shares later. A SIP often involves the company giving you free or matching shares (sometimes called 'partnership shares') immediately, often with different tax rules.
No, it is not standard usage. It is a proper noun for the scheme. You 'participate in' or 'contribute to' a Sharesave scheme.
A UK employee share scheme allowing workers to buy company shares at a discounted price through regular savings.
Sharesave is usually formal, business, financial in register.
Sharesave: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃeə.seɪv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃɛr.seɪv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Your Sharesave] has come up trumps”
- “It's like a [Sharesave] bonus”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SHARE (a piece of the company) + SAVE (put money aside) = Save money to get a share of the company.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMPLLOYEE LOYALTY IS FINANCIAL INVESTMENT; WORKPLACE IS A FINANCIAL MARKET.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Sharesave' primarily associated with?