bonanza

noun

bo·​nan·​za bə-ˈnan-zə 

1

mining : an exceptionally large and rich mineral deposit (as of an ore, precious metal, or petroleum)

2

a

: something that is very valuable, profitable, or rewarding

a box-office bonanza

b

: a very large amount

a bonanza of sympathy

c

: extravaganza

… commercial channels planning all-day viewing bonanzas …

—William Borders

Examples of bonanza in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

See live forecast maps for Christmas week Meanwhile, mountainous parts of the West may see a bonanza of snow. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025

Game studio bonanza Microsoft has spent the past few years building out its entertainment hub with a catalog of original games through an acquisition blitz. —Jaures Yip, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2025

The first half was a points bonanza, with the Chargers taking a 21-17 lead into the halftime break after both teams found offensive success. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Dec. 2025

Black Friday came and went, but the annual shopping bonanza is still in full swing. —Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, literally, calm sea, from Medieval Latin bonacia, alteration of Latin malacia, from Greek malakia, literally, softness, from malakos soft

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bonanza

• extravaganza
• stanza

Kids Definition

bonanza

noun

bo·​nan·​za bə-ˈnan-zə 

1

: a large and rich mineral deposit

2

: something that brings a rich return