- When you have been begging your parents for a dog and you expected to get one dog and instead you got two, the second dog is an example of a bonus.
- When you are given an extra $100 by your boss above-and-beyond your salary or expected commission because you did a good job, this is an example of a bonus.
The definition of a bonus is anything given beyond the required amount.
anything given in addition to the customary or required amount; specif.,
- payment over and above salary given to an employee as an incentive or reward
- a government payment to military veterans
- Brit. a dividend to insurance policyholders; also, an extra dividend to stockholders
Origin of bonusL, good ; from Old Latin dvonus ; from Indo-European an unverified form du-, variant, variety of base an unverified form deu-, to venerate from source Old English (lang)twidig, (long) granted, Classical Latin beare, past participle beatus, to make happy
- Something given or paid in addition to what is usual or expected.
- a. A sum of money or an equivalent given to an employee in addition to the employee's usual compensation.b. A sum of money in addition to salary that is given to a professional athlete for signing up with a team.
- A subsidy from a government to an industry.
- A sum of money paid by a government to a war veteran.
- A premium, as of stock, that is given by a corporation to another party, such as a purchaser of its securities.
- A sum of money that is paid by a corporation in excess of interest or royalties charged for the granting of a privilege or a loan to that corporation.
- Basketball An additional free throw awarded to a player who has been fouled when the opposing team has committed more than a specified number of fouls during a period of play.
Origin of bonusFrom Latin, good; see deu-2 in Indo-European roots.
(plural bonuses or boni)
(third-person singular simple present bonuses, present participle bonusing, simple past and past participle bonused)
- To pay a bonus, premium
From Latin bonus (“good”).
bonus - Legal Definition
- Wages paid in addition to the compensation ordinarily given or required under an employment contract. A bonus is payment for services (such as for recognition of exceptional work performance) or on consideration, and is neither gift nor gratuity.
- Anything given or provided for free in addition to what is usual, agreed to, or legally due.