bonanza

[ buh-nan-zuh, boh- ]

noun

1. a rich mass of ore, as found in mining.
2. a source of great and sudden wealth or luck; a spectacular windfall:

   The play proved to be a bonanza for its lucky backers.

bonanza

/ bəˈnænzə /

noun

1. a source, usually sudden and unexpected, of luck or wealth
2. a mine or vein rich in ore

Word History and Origins

Origin of bonanza¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1835–45; from Spanish: “calm sea, prosperity, abundance of minerals,” nasalized variant of Medieval Latin bonacia, alteration (with influence from Latin bonus “good,” possibly to avoid confusion with malus “bad”) of Latin malacia “calm sea,” from Greek malakía “softness” ( malak(ós) “soft” + -ia -ia )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bonanza¹

C19: from Spanish, literally: calm sea, hence, good luck, from Medieval Latin bonacia , from Latin bonus good + malacia dead calm, from Greek malakia softness

Example Sentences

The current undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes says he hopes wrestling bonanza WrestleMania will be hosted in the UK within the next five years.

From BBC

The government has acknowledged that this tax bonanza could one day end and has begun setting up a sovereign wealth fund which will invest some of the windfall corporation tax proceeds.

From BBC

Imagine binge-watching The Bear, Succession, Deadpool and reality show Bigg Boss all on one platform - an entertainment bonanza could be just around the corner for Indians if a blockbuster streaming merger goes through as expected.

From BBC

Some merchants — a cheesemonger, a produce vendor, a baker — said that they had long counted local householders as their main customers, but that picnic-sized portions for tourists yielded cash bonanzas.

From Los Angeles Times

Highlights include the summer kick off with Radio 1’s Big Weekend in May, Glastonbury’s dominance in June, Latitude in July and a Reading and Leeds Bank Holiday bonanza in August.

From BBC

Related Words

• cash cow
• treasure trove