bonus
bonus
Pronunciation
/ˈboʊnəs/
bo-: /boʊ/ (as in "boat")
-nus: /nəs/ (as in "cactus")
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: bonus
Plural Noun: bonuses
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: An extra payment, gift, or other benefit given to an employee beyond their regular salary or wages, typically as a reward for good performance, as an incentive, or as a share of profits.
Synonyms: premium, incentive, gratuity, perk, reward
Antonyms: penalty, deduction, fine, loss
Definition 2: Something additional, unexpected, and beneficial that is added to or comes with something else.
Synonyms: extra, added benefit, perk, advantage, plus
Antonyms: drawback, disadvantage, detriment, minus
Examples of Use
Books:
"The small publisher offered the author a signing bonus in addition to the advance, hoping to secure the rights to her next series."
Newspapers:
"Tech giants are offering unprecedented signing bonuses to attract top talent in the competitive artificial intelligence market." ( The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"Many companies are now offering retention bonuses to employees in an effort to combat the 'Great Resignation' trend." (Forbes.com)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the movie Office Space, Peter Gibbons sarcastically refers to the small amounts of money he receives as "a bonus" while discussing his paychecks.
Video Games: "Pre-ordering the deluxe edition of the game gives players an exclusive in-game bonus character and extra currency." (Promotional material for a popular video game, July 2025)
Television: "Tonight's episode features a special bonus scene that wasn't included in the original broadcast." (Promotion for a TV show rerun, June 2024)
Music: "The limited-edition vinyl release includes two bonus tracks not available on the standard digital album." (Record label announcement, April 2024)
General Public Discourse:
"My boss told me if we hit our sales targets this quarter, everyone gets a nice year-end bonus."
"As a bonus, the hotel upgrade came with complimentary breakfast."
"The sunny weather today is a real bonus for our outdoor event."
10 Quotes Using Bonus
"My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus." (Stephen Hawking)
"Find a way to get paid for doing what you love. Then every paycheck will be a bonus." (Oprah Winfrey)
"I love acting, but it's all just a bonus." (Tim Vine)
"If I win, it's a bonus. If I lose, the sun still comes up the next day, and it's all good." (Ashleigh Barty)
"I grew up not really having anything, so the idea that I can take care of my family and my friends now is a really cool bonus." (Katy Perry)
"Getting on stage is a bonus, that's my therapy, that's when I can tell stories and it all makes sense." (Jason Mraz)
"Is the chemical aftertaste the reason why people eat hot dogs, or is it some kind of bonus?" (Neil Gaiman)
"Working is a bonus; working on something you love is a bonus, and getting to do it for a long time is the ultimate." (Simon Helberg)
"Now if the harvest is over, And the world cold, Give me the bonus of laughter, As I lose hold." (John Betjeman)
"I signed a very modest $3,000 bonus with the Braves in Milwaukee. And my old man didn't have that kinda money to put out." (Bob Uecker)
Etymology
The word "bonus" comes from Latin. It directly originates from the Latin word "bonus," which simply means "good."
Initially, in Latin, "bonus" was an adjective meaning "good." Over time, it started to be used as a noun in a specific context. The first known use of "bonus" as a noun in English, with a meaning similar to what we understand today, appeared in the late 17th century, around 1650s.
At that time, "bonus" was used in a financial sense, referring to an "extra payment" or "premium," particularly for something good that had been done, or as a reward for loyalty or good service, often in the context of banking or public funds. So, the idea was that this extra payment was something "good" or beneficial, hence the direct link to its Latin root meaning "good."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Bonus
Bonus round: An extra, often rewarding, stage in a game.
Bonus track: An additional song on an album.
Bonus material: Extra content, often found on DVDs or special editions.
A nice bonus: Something additional and very welcome.
An added bonus: Another way to say "a nice bonus," emphasizing the extra aspect.
As a bonus: Used to introduce an additional benefit or unexpected positive outcome.
A little bonus: A small, extra benefit.
Life's a bonus: A phrase expressing gratitude for continued existence or good fortune.
A golden handshake: (Using a synonym, "handshake" implies a bonus) A large payment given to someone leaving a job.
A sweet deal: (Using a synonym, "sweet" implies an advantage or bonus) A very favorable agreement.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of bonus from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
