premium

Everyday

1. (money) An amount paid regularly for insurance. tree →
2. An extra amount paid on top of the usual price. tree →
3. adjective Of high quality and usually more expensive: «premium ice cream». tree →
4. at a premium Hard to find and so in great demand: «Space is at a premium in our flat.» tree →
5. put a premium on Treat something as very important. tree →

In the lessons

In adult life, families pay a «monthly premium» for car, house or health insurance. In shops «premium» on labels means the dearer, better kind; «premium petrol». In maths problems, a premium is an extra amount you add. Phrases: «insurance premium», «pay a premium», «at a premium», «premium quality».

Examples

• Mum pays an insurance premium every month for the car. tree →
• Premium tickets cost more but you sit at the front. tree →
• We bought the premium ice cream for the party. tree →
• Seats were at a premium at the school concert. tree →
• Our coach puts a premium on teamwork. tree →
• Dad filled up with premium petrol. tree →
• You pay a premium for fruit that is out of season. tree →

Note

Plural «premiums». Stress: PREE-mee-um. In maths: if a ticket costs £20 plus a £5 premium, the total is £25. «Premium» on a label is marketing; it does not always mean better. An insurance premium is paid even if nothing goes wrong.