bonus

noun

bo·​nus ˈbō-nəs How to pronounce bonus (audio)
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Like those who purchased a digital copy of the film, the 4K and Blu-ray versions of Sinners will also contain bonus material including four production featurettes. Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025 The House agreed on a $4,000 bonus deduction with similar eligibility parameters and duration. Medora Lee, USA Today, 21 June 2025 Utilize the bet365 bonus code WEEK365 to activate a welcome bonus for Cowboys-Steelers, where Pittsburgh WR George Pickens is one of the most popular picks to score a touchdown. Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025 But bonus points for its evocative Red Sea setting (even if it was actually shot in Mexico). Chris Nashawaty, EW.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bonus

Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, good — more at bounty

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bonus was in 1759

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Cite this Entry

“Bonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonus. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

bonus

noun
bo·​nus ˈbō-nəs How to pronounce bonus (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on bonus

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