boon

1 of 2

noun

ˈbün

Synonyms of boon next

: a timely benefit : blessing

a boon to new homeowners

The rain was a boon for parched crops.

: benefit, favor

especially : one that is given in answer to a request

would not grant his boon

boon

2 of 2

adjective

: convivial

a boon companion

archaic : favorable

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

Beijing is experimenting with eco-cities that may be a boon to transition to sustainable forms of urban life—but also exporting new technologies of urban surveillance and control. —

Simon Curtis and Ian Klaus, Foreign Affairs, 27 Nov. 2023 Enriched with wrinkle-filling properties, this product is a boon for the festive season, making fine lines appear smoother. —

Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023 Creative Pairing: Provence Rosé A boon in more challenging food-pairing scenarios, rosé here is easy and engaging. —

Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 12 Nov. 2023 The birds have provided a welcome boon for boat tour company owners as well, said Scott and Carla Landolt who own Daisey’s Island Cruises, the largest tour company on the island. —

Joe Heim, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2023 That’s been a real boon for people looking for places to camp that are further afield from their usual stomping grounds. —

Laura Lancaster, Outdoor Life, 19 Oct. 2023 The introduction of these new models and technologies will be a boon for the design-forward brand, which is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting new automakers to watch. —

Daniel Golson, The Verge, 14 Nov. 2023 Surprisingly, some analysts say the surging popularity of weight-loss drugs could be a boon for fitness stocks, as takers of these drugs likely will invest further in their appearance and wellness. —

Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 Yet Trump’s presidency was a boon for Joseph Craft’s coal business, as the Environmental Protection Agency weakened federal limits on carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants and eased requirements for storing toxic coal ash. —

Maxine Joselow, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'boon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of boon was in the 12th century

See more words from the same century