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

Particularly in Southern California, home to the nation’s two largest ports, goods exchange with China — subject to the steepest of Trump’s tariff hikes — is a boon to local industry. —Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025

The endorsement was a boon to Mr. Cuomo, 67, and a blow to his rivals. —Nicholas Fandos, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

While the generosity of private fundraising is certainly a boon to Maryland libraries, the notion of supplanting public dollars with private funds to staff and operate an institution as democratic as the public library threatens its ability to serve the public good. —Morgan Lehr Miller, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2025

In contrast, climate experts say the EPA reporting program, which tallies between 85% and 90% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., is in many ways a boon to businesses. —Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 10 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for boon

• brune
• coon
• croon
• dune
• goon
• hewn
• hoon
• june
• loon
• moon
• noon
• poon

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