boon

1 of 2

noun

ˈbün 

1

: a timely benefit : blessing

a boon to new homeowners

The rain was a boon for parched crops.

2

: benefit, favor

especially : one that is given in answer to a request

would not grant his boon

boon

2 of 2

adjective

1

: convivial

a boon companion

2

archaic : favorable

Synonyms

Noun

• advantage
• aid
• asset
• benefit
• help

Adjective

• clubbable
• clubable
• clubby
• companionable
• convivial
• extroverted
• extraverted
• gregarious
• outgoing
• sociable
• social

Examples of boon in a Sentence

Noun

the couple's generous donation was a great boon to the charity's fund-raising campaign

a softhearted man who finds it hard to deny any boon, whether it be for friend or stranger

Adjective

I and my boon companions celebrated that afternoon's victory on the gridiron with a night at a local dance club.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In other words, student debt relief is a boon for the most economically vulnerable American households. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024

The buttons are minimal and easy to understand, which is a boon for bleary-eyed new parents (and middle-of-the-night pump sessions). —Simone Scully, Parents, 16 Apr. 2024

To residents, the evidence that the state’s film subsidies are a boon to business is as clear as day. —Matt Stevens, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024

Imax runs are a boon for the movie and are turning in 48 percent of the gross. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Apr. 2024

Like the gold bars, the coins are only available on the company’s website—and introducing precious metals to its online offerings has been a boon for e-commerce. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024

Separately, the eclipse has been a boon for hotels and Airbnb. —Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024

In a warming climate, creating greater separation between urban areas and wild areas is a boon for wildfire safety. —Will McCarthy, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024

Oil is seen as such a boon that even questioning how it’s regulated can be branded unpatriotic. —Gaiutra Bahadur Keisha Scarville, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bone prayer, request, the favor requested, from Old Norse bōn request; akin to Old English bēn prayer, bannan to summon — more at ban entry 1

Adjective

Middle English bon, from Anglo-French, good — more at bounty

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing boon

• ace boon coon
• boon companion

Kids Definition

boon

1 of 2 noun

ˈbün 

1

: something asked or granted as a favor

2

: something pleasant or helpful that comes at just the right time : blessing

boon

2 of 2 adjective

: merry sense 1

a boon companion

Etymology

Noun

Middle English boon "favor," from an early Norse word meaning "a request, plea"

Adjective

Middle English boon, bon "favorable," from early French bon "good," derived from Latin bonus "good" — related to bonus