adj
Meaning 1
Having or consisting of two tiers.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
two-tier
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
adj
Meaning 2
Relating to the two-tier system, a payroll system in which one group of workers receives lower wages and/or benefits than another.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Qualifier: labour
Examples
- the two-tier regime
- a two-tier accounting structure
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Meaning 3
Giving preferential treatment to one group over another.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, derogatory, not-comparable
Topics: government, politics
Examples
- two-tier policing
- two-tier Keir (nickname for prime minister Keir Starmer)
- 2025, 28 March, Paul Seddon, Minister threatens to override sentencing rules (BBC News) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz0303vkg7ko Under the rules, which have prompted a "two-tier" justice row, judges will be expected to consider the lives of offenders from ethnic minority and other backgrounds before deciding on punishment.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
No etymology was provided for this word.
Across languages
Translations
5 source translations are retained for this English entry.
- Belarusian: двух'я́русны (dvuxʺjárusny) — having or consisting of two tiers
- Polish: dwupoziomowy — having or consisting of two tiers
- Russian: двухъя́русный (dvuxʺjárusnyj) — having or consisting of two tiers
- Scottish Gaelic: dà-shreathach — having or consisting of two tiers
- Ukrainian: двоя́русний (dvojárusnyj) — having or consisting of two tiers
Real reading context