bonus

noun

bo·​nus ˈbō-nəs How to pronounce bonus (audio)
Synonyms of bonus
: something in addition to what is expected or strictly due: such as
a
: money or an equivalent given in addition to an employee's usual compensation
b
: a premium (as of stock) given by a corporation to a purchaser of its securities, to a promoter, or to an employee
c
: a government payment to war veterans
d
: a sum in excess of salary given to an athlete for signing with a team

Synonyms of bonus

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Examples of bonus in a Sentence

As a bonus for good behavior you can stay up late. The product has the added bonus of providing extra vitamins. Staff members were given a bonus for finishing the project on schedule. The company offered bonuses to entice new workers. We receive annual bonuses at the end of the year.
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.
Betr is offering new users promo code FOXNEWS to earn $200 in bonuses for Game 3 of the World Series. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Pay that rises with credentials, a clear schedule and predictable work can do more for retention than a signing bonus. — Alok Chanani, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026 As a bonus, OLED makes movies, photos, and games look far superior to those on screens without this backlighting tech. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026 Incoming CFOs may forfeit equity awards or bonuses from their previous employers, prompting companies to offer cash or equity sign-on packages. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bonus

Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, good — more at bounty

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bonus was in 1759

Rhymes for bonus

See All Rhymes for bonus

Browse Nearby Words

bon ton
bonus
bonus baby
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonus. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bonus

noun
bo·​nus ˈbō-nəs How to pronounce bonus (audio)
: something given to somebody (as a worker) in addition to what is usual or owed
Etymology

from Latin bonus "good" — related to bona fide, bonbon, boon entry 2, bounty

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