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

Space X and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin have built large test facilities in Brownsville and Van Horn, Texas, bringing a blue-collar bonanza to traditionally poor regions.

From Los Angeles Times

He said that a Diwali gift in the form of a "massive tax bonanza" was on its way for the common man and the millions of small businesses that power Asia's third largest economy.

From BBC

The resulting profit bonanza for U.S. military contractors is notable.

From Salon

“Late Show With David Letterman” helped make late-night network TV a financial bonanza.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s a lithium bonanza happening at the Salton Sea.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cash cow 
• treasure trove