bonhomie

noun

bon·​ho·​mie ˌbä-nə-ˈmē 

ˌbō-

: good-natured easy friendliness

an undying bonhomie radiated from her

—Jean Stafford

bonhomous

ˈbä-nə-məs 

adjective

Did you know?

English speakers borrowed bonhomie from French, where the word was created from bonhomme, which means "good-natured man" and is itself a composite of two other French words: bon, meaning "good," and homme, meaning "man." That French compound traces to two Latin terms, bonus (meaning "good") and homo (meaning either "man" or "human being"). English speakers have warmly embraced bonhomie and its meaning, but we have also anglicized the pronunciation in a way that may make native French speakers cringe. (We hope they will be good-natured about it!)

Examples of bonhomie in a Sentence

the bonhomie of strangers singing together around a campfire

Recent Examples on the Web

This is a pen that is both weighty and lighthearted – fitting for the home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, whose life of bonhomie and good cheer was disrupted by adventure and dragons and ring wraiths and war. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025

Close to Kylian Mbappe, Dembele is popular in the France squad due to his irrepressible bonhomie and has long retained national coach Didier Deschamps’ backing, in spite of his many injury problems, thanks to his unique ability to unlock matches. —Tom Williams, New York Times, 30 May 2025

The used Tesla business had been growing for years before Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump became close, but their bonhomie has turbocharged it. —Neal E. Boudette, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025

As this is the mid-Atlantic’s yachting capital, and an anchorage for caravels, clippers and seaplanes, the spirit of nautical bonhomie is pervasive. —Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

French bonhomie, from bonhomme good-natured man, from bon good + homme man

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bonhomie

• foamy
• homey
• komi
• loamy
• colostomy
• lobotomy
• naomi
• salome
• potawatomi
• tracheostomy

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!