bonny

adjective

ˈbä-nē How to pronounce bonny (audio)
variants also bonnie
Definition of bonnynext
chiefly British
1
as in lovely
of the very best kind one of several inns in the Lake District offering bonny accommodations and bountiful breakfasts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in beautiful
very pleasing to look at a bonny child dressed in traditional Scottish clothing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bonny Instead, the Economy seat puts pressure on the bonny prominences of the hip and restricts blood circulation. — New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2025 One of the most conspicuous heralds is a bonny buttercup named the winter aconite. — Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 4 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bonny
  1. lovely
  2. beautiful
  3. wonderful
  4. handsome
  5. excellent
  6. cute
  7. terrific
  8. gorgeous
Adjective
  • This also had a boat trip included, a lovely way to cool off after a day walking Barcelona’s lanes.
    — Jaymi McCann, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
  • This rigid, eye-catching collar makes a lovely focal point over plunging necklines and high-collar dresses alike.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of lovely
Adjective
  • After Pittsburgh failed to score during nearly 4½ straight minutes of power-play time early in the second, Gauthier beat Silovs with a beautiful no-look shot for his first goal.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Mayor Matt Mahan told the crowd that the flower is the perfect symbol for a city with a beautiful past and a bright future.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of beautiful
Adjective
  • Their sorrowful slow-dance, at first with the air and then with each other, set to the ensemble evoking the crooning of a record player, is just wonderful.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026
  • There is a wonderful offhand quality to their scenes together.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of wonderful
Adjective
  • The sectional version of contributor Lila Allen’s Kipton sofa has a handsome discount totalling 25% off during the brand’s current furniture sale (20% off orders of $2,000 or more, and 25% off orders of $5,000 or more).
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Both lead to Green-Wood's surprisingly handsome resident arborist, Adam Chervinsky.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of handsome
Adjective
  • Bold from brown butter and balsamic vinegar and bright from lemon, the crunchy topping is an excellent foil to the sweetness of roasted squash.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Their bench even has some guys providing excellent backup options.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of excellent
Adjective
  • It’s made from Skechers’ GO Snuggle fleece and comes in six cute colorways.
    — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Quarter-zip sweaters, which have soft structure, are comfy yet polished alternatives that give fall outfits cute, preppy vibes.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of cute
Adjective
  • Some of the production’s strongest moments feature this sort of tricky tonal pivot, as when a punkish gamer (a terrific Wren Rivera) is unveiled as the gleeful consultant who selects organ recipients using an algorithm.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026
  • At the center is a terrific vocal performance by Hader, who captures the spirit of a Cat in the Hat for a new generation.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of terrific
Adjective
  • As the house lights dimmed and the din of French gossip died down, we were treated to a gorgeous flute solo that surprisingly transformed into a beatbox performance, by a 15-year-old.
    — Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Many imbued the air with the gorgeous, heavy scent of citrus blossoms.
    — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of gorgeous

Browse Nearby Words

bonnets
bonny
bons vivants
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bonny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bonny. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on bonny

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bonny

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of defer

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All