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

Landwehr has won four performance bonuses in his UFC career, and he's captured the additional $50,000 in three of his last four fights. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

All bonuses or First Bet Reset paybacks will be rewarded in bonus bets that must be used within seven (7) days of receipt. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

The deal includes pay raises of 38% over four years, and ratification and productivity bonuses. —David Koenig, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

Travelers can buy up to 100,000 miles per transaction and receive an additional 100,000 bonus miles at checkout. —Stella Shon, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 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