bonus

[boh-nuhs]

noun

plural

bonuses 

1. something given or paid over and above what is due.

   Synonyms: gift, honorarium, reward

2. a sum of money granted or given to an employee, a returned soldier, etc., in addition to regular pay, usually in appreciation for work done, length of service, accumulated favors, etc.

3. something free, as an extra dividend, given by a corporation to a purchaser of its securities.

4. a premium paid for a loan, contract, etc.

5. something extra or additional given freely.

   Every purchaser of a pound of coffee received a box of cookies as a bonus.

bonus

/ ˈbəʊnəs /

noun

1. something given, paid, or received above what is due or expected

   a Christmas bonus for all employees

2. an extra dividend allotted to shareholders out of profits

3. insurance a dividend, esp a percentage of net profits, distributed to policyholders either annually or when the policy matures

4. a slang word for a bribe

Word History and Origins

Origin of bonus¹

1765–75; < Latin: good

Word History and Origins

Origin of bonus¹

C18: from Latin bonus (adj) good

Synonym Study

Bonus, bounty, premium refer to something extra beyond a stipulated payment. A bonus is a gift to reward performance, paid either by a private employer or by a government: a bonus based on salary; a soldiers' bonus. A bounty is a public aid or reward offered to stimulate interest in a specific purpose or undertaking and to encourage performance: a bounty for killing wolves. A premium is usually something additional given as an inducement to buy, produce, or the like: a premium received with a magazine subscription. See also present ².

Example Sentences

"It's about seeing what gives you the most confidence, and being open about it is a bonus," Judah said.

From BBC

Australia, who drew 31-31 against the United States in their last game, would book their place in the last eight with a bonus point.

From BBC

Because he signed as an international free agent, the team was able to secure him for six seasons of control at the cost of only a $6.5 million signing bonus.

From Los Angeles Times

Chris Weston, Thames Water's chief executive, was criticised by MPs for accepting a £195k bonus after just three months in the job.

From BBC

In Austria, his girlfriend attending with him turned out to be a bonus.

From BBC

Related Words

• benefit 
• bounty 
• dividend 
• gift 
• gratuity 
• perk 
• premium 
• prize 
• reward