boon

¹

[ boon ]

noun

1. something to be thankful for; blessing; benefit.
2. something that is asked; a favor sought.

boon

²

[ boon ]

adjective

1. (of a person) jolly; jovial; convivial:

   boon companions.

2. Archaic. kindly; gracious; bounteous.

boon

³

[ boon ]

noun

, Textiles.

1. the ligneous waste product obtained by braking and scutching flax.

boon

¹

/ buːn /

noun

1. something extremely useful, helpful, or beneficial; a blessing or benefit

   the car was a boon to him

2. archaic.
   a favour; request

   he asked a boon of the king

boon

²

/ buːn /

adjective

1. close, special, or intimate (in the phrase boon companion )
2. archaic.
   jolly or convivial

Other Words From

• boonless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of boon¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English bon(e) “praying, a prayer, favor asked for,” from Old Norse bōn “prayer, request, petition”; cognate with Old English bēn

Origin of boon²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English bon(e), boun “good, goodly,” from Old French, from Latin bonus “good, expert”

Origin of boon³

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (north) bun(n)e, bone “reed, stem, husk (of flax)”; compare Old English bune “reed; drinking cup”

Word History and Origins

Origin of boon¹

C12: from Old Norse bōn request; related to Old English bēn prayer

Origin of boon²

C14: from Old French bon from Latin bonus good

Example Sentences

Indeed Nkasi says the fact that AI is in its infancy in Africa may be a boon for the continent.

From BBC

Of course reality is radically different: Immigrants have much lower crime rates than native-born Americans, and are a net boon to the economy.

From Salon

She, like Alex, pointed to the Inflation Reduction Act’s infrastructure and energy projects — largely wind and solar — which have proved to be an economic boon for red states.

From Los Angeles Times

The former president’s courtroom drama may have been a boon to his political fortunes, but it also came with very real legal jeopardy.

From BBC

And if Harris becomes a moderately failed president, that will also be good for a post-Trump Republican Party — much as Herbert Hoover was great for Democrats and Jimmy Carter was a boon to Republicans.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blessing
• godsend
• windfall