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

For many Broward educators, the compensation funded through this referendum is not a bonus or extra spending money. — Roberto Fernandez Iii, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

On Sunday for Week 2 of the NFL season, Dabble is offering new users a chance to play $5 and get $50 in bonus funds when using FOXNEWS. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

The special-edition release features more than 40 hours of bonus content, including audio commentary from Lucas, the cast and crew. — Tim Chan, Footwear News, 20 Sep. 2026

Lucas personally flew to the Dominican Republic to give Murphy his $2,500 bonus check while the player was playing winter ball in 1977 (the bonus was then at Lucas’ discretion). — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 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