bonus

noun

bo·​nus ˈbō-nəs 

: something in addition to what is expected or strictly due: such as

a

: money or an equivalent given in addition to an employee's usual compensation

b

: a premium (as of stock) given by a corporation to a purchaser of its securities, to a promoter, or to an employee

c

: a government payment to war veterans

d

: a sum in excess of salary given to an athlete for signing with a team

Synonyms

• cumshaw
• dividend
• donative
• extra
• gratuity
• gravy
• gravy train
• lagniappe
• perk
• perquisite
• throw-in
• tip

Examples of bonus in a Sentence

As a bonus for good behavior you can stay up late.

The product has the added bonus of providing extra vitamins.

Staff members were given a bonus for finishing the project on schedule.

The company offered bonuses to entice new workers.

We receive annual bonuses at the end of the year.

Recent Examples on the Web

This Is the Best Nature Destination in the World, According to Tripadvisor Peru The Amazon rain forest and Andes Mountains — home to Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain — are reason enough to visit Peru, so the delicious ceviche and pisco are bonuses. —Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2024

In 2023, Grainge had a base salary of 7.5 million euros (just over $8 million) and bonus of 15.16 million euros (nearly $16.3 million), and a one-time transition equity award worth 92,406,852 euros (roughly $100 million). —Elizabeth Dilts Marshall, Billboard, 16 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, good — more at bounty

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bonus

noun

bo·​nus ˈbō-nəs 

: something given to somebody (as a worker) in addition to what is usual or owed

Etymology

from Latin bonus "good" — related to bona fide, bonbon, boon entry 2, bounty