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

Renovation work at Notre-Dame has been a boon for archaeologists, who have been able to access underground areas that date back to hundreds of years before the cathedral was built.

From BBC

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

Related Words

• blessing
• godsend
• windfall