Pronunciations (2)
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/fiː/
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fiː
Noun
An amount charged in return for permission to do something
- Examples
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television license fee
An amount charged in return for permission to do something: An amount charged ancillary to the (occasionally null) base cost of a product or service; an additional charge, nominally for some additional privilege, ability or permission.
- Examples
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booking fee, late fee
no hidden fees; the sticker price is $1 but all the extra fees push the price into triple digits; it costs just 4.99 and there are no fees
An amount charged in return for permission to do something: An amount charged for something: the base cost of purchasing some thing, service, etc.
- Synonyms
- Examples
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admission fee, membership fee, drivers' license fee
the fee for entry to the zoo is increasing from 50 to 60 dollars
A fixed rate or price charged for (chiefly white-collar) professional services.
- Examples
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lawyers' fees, tuition fee, bank fees, legal fees, consulting fee
More examples (1)
Imagine a country where children do nothing but play until they start compulsory schooling at age seven. Then, without exception, they attend comprehensives until the age of 16. Charging school fees is illegal, and so is sorting pupils into ability groups by streaming or setting.
An inheritable estate in land, whether absolute and without limitation to potential heirs (fee simple) or with limitations to particular kinds of heirs (fee tail).
A right to the use of a superior's land as a stipend for certain services to be performed, typically military service.
Usage- Historical
Synonym of fief: the land so held.
Usage- Historical
An inheritable estate in land held of a feudal lord on condition of performance of certain services, typically military service.
Usage- Historical
Synonym of possession.
Usage- Figurative
- Obsolete
- Examples
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More examples (3)
Once did she hold the gorgeous East in fee; And was the safeguard of the west: the worth Of Venice did not fall below her birth, Venice, the eldest Child of Liberty.
What doth the poor man's son inherit? Stout muscles and a sinewy heart, A hardy frame, a hardier spirit; King of two hands, he does his part In every useful toil and art; A heritage, it seems to me, A king might wish to hold in fee.
This England, this sea-lion of the sea, By ignorant demagogues is held in fee, Who love her not: Dear God! is this the land Which bare a triple empire in her hand When Cromwell spake the word Democracy!
Cronshaw had told him that the facts of life mattered nothing to him who by the power of fancy held in fee the twin realms of space and time.
Money paid or bestowed; payment; emolument.
Usage- Obsolete
A prize or reward. Only used in the set phrase "A finder's fee" in Modern English.
Usage- Obsolete
- Examples
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For though sweet love to conquer glorious bee, / Yet is the paine thereof much greater than the fee.
Verb
To reward for services performed, or to be performed; to recompense; to hire or keep in hire; hence, to bribe.
- Related words
- Examples
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In vain for Hellebore the patient cries / And fees the doctor; but too late is wise
There's not a one of them but in his house I keep a servant feed.
More examples (2)
We departed the grounds without seeing Marbonna; and previous to vaulting over the picket, feed our pretty guide, after a fashion of our own.
It was at a much earlier hour than that which Mrs. Santon had named, that Delwood presented himself, and handsomely feeing the porter who answered his summons, he asked to see Miss Santon […]
Noun
a fixed charge for a privilege or for professional services
- Broader terms
an interest in land capable of being inherited
Verb
give a tip or gratuity to in return for a service, beyond the compensation agreed on
- Examples
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Remember to tip the waiter
fee the steward