DictionaryAI

bonus

SayBOH-nuhsUS/ˈboʊ.nəs/UK/ˈbəʊ.nəs/

Pluralbonuses, bonusses

5 meanings of bonus

Practice

  1. 1
    added benefitnouncountable
    Something extra and good that you get on top of what you expected.

    Like finding an extra cookie in the bag that you didn't expect.

    Getting a free dessert was a nice bonus after dinner.

    The sunny weather was a bonus on our trip.

    UsageOften an added bonus. More than one: bonuses.

    Similarplus, perk, benefit, advantage, extra

    Oppositedrawback, downside, disadvantage, minus

  2. 2
    extra paynouncountable
    Extra money paid to a worker or owner on top of the usual amount.

    Like getting extra pocket money for doing a really good job.

    She got a big bonus at the end of the year.

    Workers receive a bonus when the company does well.

    UsageOften get a bonus at the end of the year.

    Similarpremium, reward, incentive

  3. 3
    extra pointsnouncountable
    Extra points added to your score for playing well in a game.

    Like extra points for finishing a race with time to spare.

    You earn a bonus for finishing the level quickly.

    Clearing every room in the dungeon added a big bonus to her score.

    UsageSay a bonus for finishing fast.

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    free throwsnoun
    Free throws a team gets when the other team makes too many fouls.

    Like getting a free turn because the other team broke the rules too often.

    Their team was in the bonus, so every foul gave them free throws.

    Late in the game, the home side reached the bonus.

    UsageSay a team is in the bonus.

    Note
  2. 5
    extra payverbtransitive
    To pay someone extra money as a reward or to encourage something.

    Like giving someone extra money as a thank-you for great work.

    Good firms bonus their staff when profits rise.

    The board voted to bonus the executives generously.

    UsageYou can write bonused or bonussed.

    Similarreward

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of bonus apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from the Latin word bonus, meaning "good."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact