Per diem is a Latin phrase used in professional contexts to mean “for each day,” typically referring to a daily allowance or rate paid to employees or contractors. It denotes compensation or reimbursement calculated on a daily basis, rather than a salary or fixed fee. The term is commonly encountered in travel, healthcare, and government contracting.
"The consultant charged a per diem of $350 while on site."
"Employees submit a per diem claim for meals and incidental expenses."
"The grant covers a base salary plus a per diem for lodging."
"During the project, you’ll be paid a fixed per diem for travel days."
Per diem originates from Latin, where per means “for each” and diem means “day.” The phrase entered English via legal and bureaucratic usage, especially in the context of government, military, or professional reimbursements. In Latin documents, per diem described payments intended to cover daily expenses rather than a lump-sum salary. In English, the term hardened into an accounting and employment term, often capitalized in formal documents as “per diem.” The practical sense—compensation on a daily basis for travel, meals, lodging, or incidental expenses—developed as organizations expanded travel and fieldwork, necessitating a standardized daily rate. The first known uses in English appear in mid- to late-19th century administrative correspondence and fiscal records, with the phrase appearing in tax, payroll, and procurement contexts. Over time, “per diem” retained its Latin flavor while broadening to various industries, becoming a common noun or adjective in HR policies and travel guidelines. Today, it is widely recognized in business and government to denote daily allowances, with many organizations setting explicit per diem rates and coverage rules.
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Words that rhyme with "Per Diem"
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US/UK/AU pronunciation centers on two words: per (pər or pə) and diem (DEE-əm). Stress falls on the second word: /ˈdiː.əm/ when spoken in full, but natural speech may reduce the first syllable: /pər ˈdiː.əm/. IPA guides: US /pər ˈdiː.əm/, UK /pə ˈdiː.əm/, AU /pə ˈdiː.əm/. Mouth position: keep a light, relaxed schwa in the first syllable, then a long E in 'diem' followed by a relaxed 'um'.
Common errors: treating ‘per’ as ‘pair’ or ‘peer’; mispronouncing ‘diem’ as ‘dee-um’ with two pronounced m sounds instead of a simple /diː.əm/. The correct sequence uses a short /ər/ or /ə/ in ‘per’ and a long /iː/ in ‘diem,’ then a light /əm/ at the end. Correct by saying ‘per’ with a neutral schwa and ‘diem’ as two syllables: /ˈdiː.əm/. Practice by linking the words smoothly without a strong pause.
In US there’s rhoticity, so /pər ˈdiː.əm/ with a rhotic schwa. UK tends to a non-rhotic /pə ˈdiː.əm/ or a lighter /ˈdiː.ɛm/? with less rhotacization. Australian typically rhymes to /pə ˈdiː.əm/ with a flatter vowel in ‘per’ and clear /ˈdiː.əm/. The main difference is the first syllable vowel and the strength of the rhotic consonant in ‘per’; while ‘diem’ remains consistently /ˈdiː.əm/ across accents.
Two challenges: the Latin pronunciation feel of diem vs the English di-ÉM pattern; the initial 'per' with a weak schwa in rapid speech can blur. The long E in diem can be reduced in fast speech (/ˈdiː.əm/ vs /ˈdi.əm/). Practice focusing on the long /iː/ and keeping the final /əm/ tight, not a full syllabic /m/. In connected speech, link from per to diem without a strong pause.
Yes: the primary stress falls on the second word: per di-EM; some speakers place more emphasis on 'diem' when contrasting with other allowances. In slower, clearer speech you’ll hear per as unstressed and diem carrying the emphasis: pər ˈdiː.əm. In rapid phrases, both words minimize the first vowel, but the stress on diem remains prominent.
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