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

The City University of New York has reached a tentative contract agreement with unionized faculty and staff that includes across-the-board raises and a ratification bonus, CUNY and the Professional Staff Congress announced Monday. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024

These include base salaries, percentages of race winnings, performance bonuses, and merchandise sales. —Alex Harrington, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

And there are wonderful, positive career bonuses from accolades. —Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024

This one also gets bonus points for having a foldover-like style. —Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 17 Dec. 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