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

All editions also benefit from pre-order bonuses that include open beta early access (on August 6), the Exfil weapon set, and Exfil Dom legendary character skin. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2026

One traveler may respond to bonus points, while another is more interested in an immediate price reduction. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

After a couple of subpar seasons — one in Colorado, one in Cleveland — the Guardians sent him to the White Sox in June for $250,000 in international bonus pool money. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

To better blend in with locals, swap them for the Baleaf Travel Pants With Zipper Pockets, which are just as soft and stretchy, but with the bonus of multiple zippered pockets and built-in sun protection. — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 1 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