bonhomie

[ bon-uh-mee, bon-uh-mee; French baw-naw-mee ]

See synonyms for: bonhomie bonhomous on Thesaurus.com

noun

frank and simple good-heartedness; a good-natured manner; friendliness; geniality.

Origin of bonhomie

First recorded in 1795–1805; from French, equivalent to bonhomme “good-natured man” (see boon², Homo) + -ie -y³

Other words from bonhomie

bon·ho·mous [bon-uh-muhs], /ˈbɒn ə məs/, adjective

Words Nearby bonhomie

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bonhomie in a sentence

A national security conference in Canada brings out the bonhomie among U.S. senators.
Politics End In Halifax As Democratic and GOP Senators Seek Common Ground on National Security | Tim Mak | November 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
It is true that Morsi is not a typical politician, with none of the glad-handing bonhomie that is characteristic of that species.
Mohamed Morsi Will Have His Hands Full Uniting a Deeply Divided Egypt | Tarek Masoud | June 25, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
At the Globes, the night is all bonhomie, backslapping and table-hopping.
The Gaudy, Gauche and Sometimes Corrupt Greatness of the Golden Globes | Richard Rushfield | January 16, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
It was a happening, a celebration of “La Julia,” as the Italians called her, who dished up advice along with bonhomie and cheer.
She Taught Me to Cook—and Called Me a Klutz | Sandra McElwaine | August 6, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
The power networking and the black-tie bonhomie didn't just pause; they yielded to something akin to solemn fervor.
Laughter in the Dark | Tina Brown | February 2, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST

Well, under the mask of bonhomie, which made me believe him to be a worthy man, was concealed the most commonplace nature.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste Tchaikovsky
Hanna is famous for his bonhomie, and is a fine story-teller.
As A Chinaman Saw Us | Anonymous
The pleasant sight was Count Cavour, in plainest dress, with a head full of power, mingled with bonhomie.
George Eliot's Life, Vol. II (of 3) | George Eliot
His address has all the captivating bonhomie which is the leading feature of his poetry, and, indeed, of his whole moral nature.
The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. X (of X) - America - II, Index | Various
To this easy bonhomie was added a sense of humor, always quick to appreciate an amusing situation.
The Life of John Marshall Volume 4 of 4 | Albert J. Beveridge

British Dictionary definitions for bonhomie

bonhomie

/ (ˈbɒnəmiː, French bɔnɔmi) /

noun

exuberant friendliness

Origin of bonhomie

C18: from French, from bonhomme good-humoured fellow, from bon good + homme man

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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