Quick answer: A perquisite (often shortened to "perk") is a benefit or privilege granted in addition to a regular salary, especially as part of a job: A company car is a common perquisite for senior staff. A prerequisite is something required beforehand as a necessary condition for something else: A driving licence is a prerequisite for this job. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘perquisite’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| perquisite | noun | a benefit or privilege given in addition to salary, especially in employment | Free parking is a nice perquisite of the job. |
| prerequisite | noun / adjective | something required beforehand as a necessary condition | Maths is a prerequisite for the engineering course. |
Using Perquisite
Perquisite (informally, "perk") describes an extra benefit or privilege that comes with a job or position, beyond the basic salary — often things like a company car, private healthcare, or discounted travel.
Health insurance is one of the main perquisites of working here.
Executives often receive perquisites such as club memberships.
Free meals are a welcome perquisite of the catering job.
The role comes with several attractive perquisites, including a company phone.
Using Prerequisite
Prerequisite refers to a requirement that must be met before something else can happen — commonly used in education, employment, and formal processes. It can also function as an adjective.
Completing the introductory course is a prerequisite for this module.
Fluency in French is a prerequisite for the translator role.
A stable internet connection is a prerequisite for remote work.
Trust is a prerequisite for any healthy relationship.
Memory Trick
PerQUISITE sounds like "acquisitive" — think of something extra you acquire on top of your salary. PreREQUISITE starts with "pre-" (before) — think of something required before you can proceed.
Common Mistakes
✗ A company car is a nice prerequisite of the role.
✓ A company car is a nice perquisite of the role.
✗ Basic maths is a perquisite for the accounting course.
✓ Basic maths is a prerequisite for the accounting course.
Tips to Avoid Confusion
- Ask: is this an extra job benefit on top of salary? Use perquisite (or the informal "perk").
- Ask: is this something required beforehand? Use prerequisite.
- The prefix "pre-" in prerequisite is a strong clue: it means "before".
- In everyday speech, "perk" is far more common than "perquisite", which sounds formal or old-fashioned.
For more on related grammar, see nouns. Also confusing: Ability vs Capability, Acquire vs Obtain, Amount vs Number. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Perquisite or Prerequisite?
4 fill-in-the-blank questions — choose the correct word for each sentence.
1. “A gym membership is one of the job's ___.” (benefits)
2. “Passing this exam is a ___ for the next level.” (required first)
3. “Free parking is a small ___ of working downtown.”
4. “A valid passport is a ___ for international travel.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between perquisite and prerequisite?
A perquisite (informally, a "perk") is a benefit granted in addition to salary, such as a company car or health insurance. A prerequisite is something required beforehand as a necessary condition, such as a qualification needed before starting a course. They are unrelated in meaning despite similar spelling.
Is 'perk' the same as 'perquisite'?
Yes — "perk" is simply the informal, shortened form of "perquisite", used far more often in everyday speech: "free coffee is a nice perk of the job" means the same as "free coffee is a nice perquisite of the job."
Can prerequisite be used as an adjective?
Yes: "a prerequisite qualification", "prerequisite knowledge". In this use, prerequisite directly modifies a noun to mean "required beforehand", rather than functioning as the noun itself.
What are common examples of perquisites in employment?
Common perquisites include company cars, private health insurance, gym memberships, subsidised meals, travel allowances, stock options, and flexible working arrangements — all benefits provided in addition to base salary.
What are common examples of prerequisites in education?
Common prerequisites include completing an introductory course before an advanced one, meeting a minimum grade requirement, or having specific skills (like a language or maths level) before enrolling in a programme.
Is perquisite a formal or informal word?
Perquisite is a fairly formal, somewhat old-fashioned word, more likely to appear in legal, HR, or tax documents. In everyday conversation, most English speakers say "perk" instead.
Can prerequisite be used outside education and employment?
Yes — prerequisite is used broadly to describe any necessary condition for something to happen: "Trust is a prerequisite for a good relationship"; "Rain is a prerequisite for a good harvest in this region."
Do perquisite and prerequisite share the same root word?
They share the Latin root 'quaerere' (to seek), combined with different prefixes: 'per-' (thoroughly) in perquisite, and 'pre-' (before) in prerequisite. Despite this shared origin, their modern meanings are entirely distinct.
Give a sentence using both words correctly.
"A university degree is a prerequisite for the role, which also comes with attractive perquisites such as private healthcare and a company car." Here prerequisite describes what's required to get the job, and perquisites describes the extra benefits once hired.
How can I remember perquisite vs prerequisite?
Prerequisite starts with 'pre-', meaning 'before' — something required before you can proceed. Perquisite is closer to 'perk' — an extra benefit you acquire alongside your job. If it's needed first, it's a prerequisite; if it's a bonus, it's a perquisite (perk).