boon

1 of 2

noun

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

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
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.
Noun
For the private carrier Boxcar, the strike could be a boon. Matthew Haag, New York Times, 17 May 2025 And the growth of Medicare Advantage (now selected by >50% of all Medicare beneficiaries) suggests it’s been a boon for our seniors. Seth Joseph, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 Gambian supporters of Starlink felt that its product would be a boon for consumers and for economic growth in the country, where internet service remains unreliable and slow. Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 15 May 2025 The deal could be a boon for Boeing, which has not posted a profit since 2018. Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for boon

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

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Cite this Entry

“Boon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boon. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

boon

1 of 2 noun
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

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