bonus

noun

bo·​nus ˈbō-nəs How to pronounce bonus (audio)
: 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

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 Altogether there are a total of 20 songs (not counting the CD bonus tracks), which are presented in detail below. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 The ticket matched five of the six winning numbers and the bonus number, giving the couple a $25,000 win. Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2024 The true bonus is that the backwoods hold delicious surprises. Carole V. Bell, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024 In fact, Irish casino game fans will have three different welcome bonuses to choose from (this isn’t even counting the two different sportsbook welcome bonuses available). Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Bozeman is due a $1.5 million roster bonus on March 16, and there’s a fair argument to be made that the center position needs to be upgraded to protect Young. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2024 The monthly subscription highlights books that have inspired its founder, and will offer delivery to members, as well as access to bonus material like author interviews. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 As a bonus, many of these materials are eco-friendly. Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024 Swift also previously shared the album’s 16-song (plus bonus track) track list, which includes features from Post Malone and Florence + the Machine. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bonus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near bonus

Cite this Entry

“Bonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonus. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on bonus

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