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bonbonnière

[ bon-buh-neer, -nyair; French bawn-baw-nyer ]
/ ˌbɒn bəˈnɪər, -ˈnyɛər; French bɔ̃ bɔˈnyɛr /
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noun, plural bon·bon·nières [bon-buh-neerz, -nyairz; French bawn-baw-nyer]. /ˌbɒn bəˈnɪərz, -ˈnyɛərz; French bɔ̃ bɔˈnyɛr/.
a person or store that makes or sells candies.
a box or dish for candies.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
candystring
candyfloss
candypuff
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Origin of bonbonnière

First recorded in 1810–20; from French; bon-bon “candy” (in French baby-talk) + -ière noun suffix; see -ary

Words nearby bonbonnière

bona vacantia, Bonaventura, bonaventure, bonavist, bonbon, bonbonnière, bonce, bond, bondable, bondage, bonded
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bonbonnière in a sentence

  • She commonly brought a beautiful agate bonbonniere full of gold pieces, when she played.

    The Newcomes|William Makepeace Thackeray

  • I can remember when many ladies—most ladies, carried a box—nay, two boxes—tabatiere, and bonbonniere.

    Roundabout Papers|William Makepeace Thackeray

  • It was a little shining bonbonniere, and rising she threw it straight at Katy.

    What Katy Did Next|Susan Coolidge
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