bonus
A bonus is an extra amount of money, credit, or benefit added to what is expected or required. It is typically given as a reward for good performance or as an incentive to encourage future effort.
Examples
3 of 5Finding a parking spot right in front of the store was a real bonus on such a rainy day.
Finding a parking spot right in front of the store was a real bonus on such a rainy day.
The executive board approved a significant performance bonus for the management team.
The executive board approved a significant performance bonus for the management team.
If we finish the project early, the boss might give us a little bonus.
If we finish the project early, the boss might give us a little bonus.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Remember that 'bonus' comes from the Latin word for 'good'. A bonus is something 'good' that is added to what you already have.
Quick Quiz
The professor gave us _____ points for completing the extra credit assignment.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bonus
Examples
Finding a parking spot right in front of the store was a real bonus on such a rainy day.
everydayFinding a parking spot right in front of the store was a real bonus on such a rainy day.
The executive board approved a significant performance bonus for the management team.
formalThe executive board approved a significant performance bonus for the management team.
If we finish the project early, the boss might give us a little bonus.
informalIf we finish the project early, the boss might give us a little bonus.
Students who participated in the optional research study received a five-point bonus on their final grade.
academicStudents who participated in the optional research study received a five-point bonus on their final grade.
The company offers a competitive sign-on bonus to attract top-tier engineering talent.
businessThe company offers a competitive sign-on bonus to attract top-tier engineering talent.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
an added bonus
an added bonus
Christmas bonus
Christmas bonus
bonus scheme
bonus scheme
Often Confused With
A benefit is a non-monetary perk like health insurance, whereas a bonus is usually a specific extra payment or award.
An incentive is something offered to motivate future action, while a bonus is often a reward for work already completed.
Usage Notes
The word 'bonus' is most commonly used in professional and academic settings to describe rewards for exceeding standards. It can also be used figuratively to describe any unexpected positive circumstance.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes try to use 'bonus' as a verb (e.g., 'He bonused me'), but in standard English, it should be used as a noun with verbs like 'give', 'receive', or 'award'.
Memory Tip
Remember that 'bonus' comes from the Latin word for 'good'. A bonus is something 'good' that is added to what you already have.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'bonus', meaning 'good', originally used in the 18th century as stock exchange slang for an extra dividend.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western corporate cultures, year-end or performance-based bonuses are a standard expectation and a significant part of a worker's total income.
Quick Quiz
The professor gave us _____ points for completing the extra credit assignment.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bonus
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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