bonus

noun

bo·​nus ˈbō-nəs How to pronounce bonus (audio)
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The last weekend of the month there’s a bonus market to visit on the historic Via Rivarola, called Tipicamente Chiavari, with artisanal and DOP produce. Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025 This Weatherman umbrella is sturdy and small, which is a bonus for windy and rainy days. Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2025 Hess maturing The Yankees drafted Hess, a righty, No. 26 in 2024 out of Alabama and gave him a below-slot signing bonus of $2.7 million. Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 2 May 2025 As a nice bonus, the blurring primer has a hint of tropical smell (from the coconut juice and cactus flower extract) that’s truly divine. Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bonus

Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, good — more at bounty

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bonus was in 1759

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Cite this Entry

“Bonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonus. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

bonus

noun
bo·​nus ˈbō-nəs How to pronounce bonus (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on bonus

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