bonhomie

noun

bon·​ho·​mie ˌbä-nə-ˈmē 

ˌbō-

: good-natured easy friendliness

an undying bonhomie radiated from her

—Jean Stafford

bonhomous

ˈbä-nə-məs 

adjective

Did you know?

English speakers borrowed bonhomie from French, where the word was created from bonhomme, which means "good-natured man" and is itself a composite of two other French words: bon, meaning "good," and homme, meaning "man." That French compound traces to two Latin terms, bonus (meaning "good") and homo (meaning either "man" or "human being"). English speakers have warmly embraced bonhomie and its meaning, but we have also anglicized the pronunciation in a way that may make native French speakers cringe. (We hope they will be good-natured about it!)

Examples of bonhomie in a Sentence

the bonhomie of strangers singing together around a campfire

Recent Examples on the Web

The article mulled the broader human implications of Molchanov’s remarkable breath-holding dives, as well as captured some of the communal bonhomie of Molchanov’s fellow divers. —Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 8 Dec. 2024

While this was the most magical night of my trip, the bonhomie was not at all uncommon. —Joe Ray, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024

An estimated 150,000 football fans in one city — England were outnumbered more than four to one, according to the local authorities — and yet the good humour and all-round bonhomie between the two sides was the abiding memory. —Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 13 July 2024

And if all this solo adventure sounds a little too remote for your taste, take in the bonhomie at Saipan, the capital of the Northern Marianas, over a mouthwatering plate of red rice and chicken kelaguen. —Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French bonhomie, from bonhomme good-natured man, from bon good + homme man

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined above

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!