2 syllables: bo, nus. Stress on bo.
BOH-nuhs
/ˈboʊnəs/
bonus is pronounced BOH-nuhs (/ˈboʊnəs/). It has two syllables (bo-nus), with the stress on "bo". A monetary extra given in addition to an employee’s regular pay or a desirable extra reward, such as a prize or premium. The term also appears in finance and business to denote an additional sum or advantage beyond the standard amount.
A monetary extra given in addition to an employee’s regular pay or a desirable extra reward, such as a prize or premium. The term also appears in finance and business to denote an additional sum or advantage beyond the standard amount.
- You’ll often over-articulate the second syllable, giving /ənəs/ instead of a quick /nəs/. Aim for light, almost whispered second syllable in normal speech. - A common slip is using /ɒ/ or /ɑ/ for the first vowel in American speakers; target the diphthong /oʊ/ rather than a pure mid back vowel. - Another trap is voicing difference on the final /s/. In careful speech, end with a crisp /s/; in connected speech, it may be slightly devoiced, sounding closer to /s/ than /z/. - Practice tip: rehearse with minimal pairs like bonus vs bone, bonus vs bonsai to lock in the two-syllable rhythm and avoid over-lengthening the first vowel. - Record yourself and compare to a native pronunciation; listen for vowel length, vowel quality, and the stress timing across syllables.
"The company announced a year-end bonus for all team members."
"He earned a signing bonus when he joined the firm."
"Employees expect a performance bonus tied to sales targets."
Pronounce as two syllables: BOH-nuhs in US and UK; AU varieties typically /ˈbəʊ.nəs/ but often with a reduced second syllable. Primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US /ˈboʊ.nəs/, UK /ˈbəʊ.nəs/, AU /ˈbəʊ.nəs/. Your mouth starts with a rounded /b/ stop, then /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ vowel, followed by /n/ and a reduced /əs/ ending. Ensure the second syllable is light, not overly stressed.
Common errors: 1) Pronouncing the first vowel as a short /ɒ/ or /ɑ/; aim for /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ with a clear diphthong. 2) De-emphasizing the second syllable, making it a heavy /-nəs/ rather than a light /-nəs/; keep syllable weight low. 3) Final consonant mispronunciation: avoid a full /z/ or /s/ if phonetic context calls for /s/; end with /s/ softly. Correct by practicing the two-syllable rhythm and focusing on the pale, unstressed second part.
In US English, /ˈboʊ.nəs/ with a clear /oʊ/ and a lighter /nəs/. In UK English, /ˈbəʊ.nəs/ features a longer /əʊ/ and a reduced first vowel; rhoticity is not the issue here since /ə/ preceded by /b/ is common. Australian often mirrors UK vowels: /ˈbəʊ.nəs/ with slightly tighter final /nəs/ and less vowel height difference. The primary variation is vowel quality and length of the diphthong, while the consonants remain fairly consistent.
The difficulty lies in the two-syllable rhythm with an unstressed second syllable and the diphthong in the first syllable. US /ˈboʊ.nəs/ demands a full close-mid to high back vowel in /oʊ/ and a light, quick /n/ plus a reduced /əs/ ending. For some speakers, the initial vowel blends or slides differently, and the final /s/ can be devoiced when followed by voiceless consonants. Focus on clean diphthongization and a light, clipped second syllable.
Unique to this word: the second syllable often reduces to a schwa-like /ə/ or a near-silent /-əs/ depending on speech rate, yet casual speech can push toward /-əs/. Stress stays on the first syllable, but in emphatic contexts you might hear slight second-syllable emphasis for contrast: “a BONUS, not just any reward.” IPA references and mouth positions remain the same, but rate and vowel openness shift.
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- US: /ˈboʊ.nəs/ with a prominent /oʊ/ diphthong; keep /n/ clear, and allow the final /əs/ to reduce to a light /əs/ or /s/ depending on speed. - UK: /ˈbəʊ.nəs/ where the first vowel is a stronger /əʊ/; second syllable remains unstressed with a light /nəs/. The /ə/ often centralizes slightly more; avoid over-pronouncing the first vowel. - AU: /ˈbəʊ.nəs/ similar to UK, but Australians may have a slightly shorter /əʊ/ duration and a sharper, crisper /n/; maintain non-rhoticity but keep the vowel quality brighter. - IPA anchors: US /ˈboʊ.nəs/, UK/AU /ˈbəʊ.nəs/; ensure the first syllable is the nucleus of stress; implement mouth shapes: rounded lips for /oʊ/; a neutral, relaxed jaw for /ə/ in non-stressed contexts. - Practical tip: practice by alternating between the US diphthong and UK/AU falling diphthongs to hear the subtle vowel shifts, then tuck in the final /s/ with a light release to avoid trilling.
Bonus comes from the Latin bonum, meaning good or a good thing. The medieval Latin term bonus influenced early English usage as a positive or extra reward. In the 18th–19th centuries, merchants and clerks began using bonus to denote an additional consideration above the agreed price, especially in wages or commissions. During the 20th century, the word broadened in business to include extra payments like performance bonuses, signing bonuses, and annual bonuses, effectively replacing older terms in many contexts. The modern sense centers on something extra that adds value or improvement, beyond the standard compensation or expectation. The pronunciation shifted toward two syllables, with a light, unstressed -us in many dialects, while some forms retain a crisper final -us in careful speech.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "bonus" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "bonus"
-nus sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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