boon

¹boon

noun \ˈbün\

: something pleasant or helpful : a benefit or advantage

Full Definition of BOON

1

:  benefit, favor; especially :  one that is given in answer to a request

2

:  a timely benefit :  blessing

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Examples of BOON

1. <the couple's generous donation was a great boon to the charity's fund-raising campaign>
2. <a softhearted man who finds it hard to deny any boon, whether it be for friend or stranger>

Origin of BOON

Middle English bone prayer, request, the favor requested, from Old Norse bōn request; akin to Old English bēn prayer, bannan to summon — more at ban

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to BOON

Synonyms

advantage, aid, asset, benefit, help

Antonyms

disadvantage, drawback, encumbrance, hindrance, impediment, minus

Related Words

hand, lift, pick-me-up; support, sustenance; blessing, godsend, windfall; recourse, refuge, resort, resource

Near Antonyms

constraint, inhibitor, liability, obstacle, obstruction, restraint, stranglehold

Rhymes with BOON

Boone, coon, croon, dune, goon, June, loon, lune, moon, noon, prune, rune, soon, spoon, swoon, toon, tune

²boon

adjective

Definition of BOON

1

archaic :  favorable

2

:  convivial <a boon companion>

Examples of BOON

1. <I and my boon companions celebrated that afternoon's victory on the gridiron with a night at a local dance club.>

Origin of BOON

Middle English bon, from Anglo-French, good — more at bounty

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BOON

Synonyms

convivial, clubbable (also clubable), clubby, companionable, extroverted (also extraverted), gregarious, outgoing, sociable, social

Antonyms

antisocial, insociable, introverted, nongregarious, reclusive, unsociable, unsocial

Related Words

cordial, folksy, forthcoming, friendly, hospitable; affable, genial, gracious; agreeable, amiable, congenial, kindly, neighborly; animated, gay, jaunty, jolly, jovial, lively, peppy, perky, pert, spirited, sprightful, sprightly, vivacious; communicative, expansive, garrulous, talkative; bright, buoyant, cheerful, chipper, effervescent, upbeat; bubbly, exuberant, high-spirited

Near Antonyms

misanthropic; aloof, cold, cool, detached, distant, frosty, remote, reserved, standoffish; mum, mute, reticent, silent, taciturn