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 of bonus

• dividend
• gift
• extra
• contribution
• tip
• perk
• donation
• pension

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

Height cap of 100 feet plus 50 feet for landmark bonus in transition zone. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026

Two other fighters took home $100,000 bonuses for their work as well. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

The display is unforgettable and, for a bonus, flowers are fragrant, especially at night, so as to attract pollinating hawk moths. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Aug. 2026

Spurs are set to pay £75m up front, plus £10m in potential bonuses for the Brazilian — £5m of which are highly achievable. — David Ornstein, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, good — more at bounty

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bonus

• bonis
• clonus
• conus
• cronus
• jonas
• lowness
• onus
• slowness
• tonus
• colonus
• coregonus
• dendroctonus

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