tariff
B2Formal / Technical (Business, Economics, Politics)
Definition
Meaning
A tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports.
A list of prices or charges, especially in contexts like utilities, hotels, or transport.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core meaning relates to government-imposed trade taxes. The extended meaning of a price list is common in business contexts (e.g., hotel tariff, electricity tariff). It implies an official, often structured schedule of rates.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Meaning is identical. In utility contexts, UK English may use 'tariff' more commonly (e.g., energy tariff), while US English might also use 'rate plan'.
Connotations
Neutral/technical in both. In political discourse, can carry connotations of protectionism or trade wars.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English due to common use in domestic energy billing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
impose a tariff ON somethinglift a tariff ON somethingprotect an industry WITH tariffsset a tariff AT a rate of X%Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tariff wall/jacket”
- “To be tariff-free”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Negotiations focused on reducing tariff barriers to boost bilateral trade.
Academic
The paper analyses the impact of preferential tariff agreements on developing economies.
Everyday
I need to switch to a cheaper electricity tariff before winter.
Technical
The ad valorem tariff is calculated as a percentage of the goods' value.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The government proposed a new tariff on imported steel to protect domestic manufacturers.
- Our green energy tariff is slightly more expensive but supports renewables.
- The hotel's full-board tariff includes all meals.
American English
- The administration announced retaliatory tariffs on Chinese electronics.
- Check your mobile phone tariff for any hidden data charges.
- The freight tariff for shipping containers has increased this quarter.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A tariff makes imported goods more expensive.
- My new phone tariff gives me more data.
- The EU imposed a tariff on bananas from outside the union.
- We compared electricity tariffs from different suppliers.
- Negotiators are working to eliminate tariffs on agricultural products between the two countries.
- The company's complex tariff structure made it difficult for customers to find the best deal.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TARIFF as a TAX or a RATE you pay on Imports or For Facilities (like electricity).
Conceptual Metaphor
A tariff is a wall (a barrier to trade). A tariff is a price tag (a schedule of charges).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'тарифом' в значении расценки/тарифа за услуги (совпадает). Прямой перевод 'таможенная пошлина' более точен для trade context.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'tariff' for general taxes like income tax (incorrect). Spelling: one 'r', double 'f' (tariff).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'tariff' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its core meaning is a tax on imports/exports, it is also widely used for structured price lists in utilities (energy, mobile phones) and services (hotels, transport).
All tariffs are a type of tax, but specifically on international trade. General taxes (income tax, sales tax) are applied domestically and are not called tariffs.
It is very rarely used as a verb (meaning to subject to a tariff). In modern English, it is almost exclusively a noun. Use 'impose a tariff on' instead.
It means goods can be traded without being subject to any import or export taxes, as in a free trade agreement.