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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Bonus Definition: Extra Payment, Reward & Benefits (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：Extra payment or reward (bonus)

bonus 🔊

/ˈboʊnəs/

An extra amount of money you get on top of your normal pay, often as a reward or gift.

Extra payment or reward 🔊

➕

/ˈɛkstrə ˈpeɪmənt ɔːr rɪˈwɔːrd/

A bonus is an additional sum of money given to an employee on top of their regular salary, usually as a reward for good performance or as a special gift.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'bonus' meaning 'good'. Originally referred to a good thing or advantage.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'bonus' as 'bone-us' – like a dog getting an extra bone as a reward.

📖 Example

Everyone was thrilled to receive a year-end bonus, which meant they could afford a nicer holiday. 🔊 Everyone was thrilled to receive a year-end bonus, which meant they could afford a nicer holiday.

🔗 Collocations

year-end bonus – A bonus paid at the end of the year, often based on annual performance.

performance bonus – A bonus given for achieving specific performance targets.

cash bonus – A bonus paid in cash rather than stocks or other forms.

🔄 Synonyms

reward (n.) – Something given in recognition of service, effort, or achievement.

incentive (n.) – Something that motivates or encourages someone to do something.

premium (n.) – An extra amount paid as a reward or incentive.

🚫 Antonyms

penalty (n.) – A punishment or financial loss imposed for breaking a rule or poor performance.

deduction (n.) – An amount taken away from pay or earnings.

fine (n.) – A sum of money required as a penalty for an offense.

📖 Cultural Story

In ancient Rome, 'bonus' was a term for a good man or a reward. In modern business, a bonus is an extra payment beyond salary, often given as a performance incentive.

Meaning 2：Unexpected advantage or extra benefit (bonus)

bonus 🔊

/ˈboʊnəs/

Something good that you get in addition to what you expected, making a situation even better.

Unexpected bonus earbuds with new smartphone

Unexpected advantage or extra benefit 🔊

➕

/ˌʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd ædˈvæntɪdʒ ɔːr ˈɛkstrə ˈbɛnɪfɪt/

A bonus is an additional good thing that you receive beyond what was expected, making an already good situation even better.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The new phone has a great camera, and a bonus is that it comes with free wireless headphones. 🔊 The new phone has a great camera, and a bonus is that it comes with free wireless headphones.

🔗 Collocations

added bonus – An extra benefit that is not originally promised.

welcome bonus – A special offer given to new customers when they sign up.

surprise bonus – An unexpected extra benefit that delights the recipient.

🔄 Synonyms

perk (n.) – An extra benefit or advantage given in addition to regular pay or features.

advantage (n.) – A condition or circumstance that puts one in a favorable position.

dividend (n.) – A benefit or bonus derived from an investment or action.

🚫 Antonyms

drawback (n.) – A feature that makes something less attractive or useful.

disadvantage (n.) – A condition or circumstance that makes success more difficult.

liability (n.) – Something that creates a disadvantage or burden.