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noun

bonanza

buh-NAN-zuh

Bonanza (noun) means a rich, unexpected source of wealth, luck, or success. Example: “The tourist boom was a bonanza for local hotel owners.”

noun
1
A rich, unexpected source of wealth, luck, or success.
"The tourist boom was a bonanza for local hotel owners."
"Finding that old comic book collection was a real bonanza."
2
A rich vein or deposit of ore, especially silver or gold.
"The miners struck a bonanza deep in the mountainside."

How to use bonanza

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sudden, generous stroke of luck or profit — much more than you were expecting.

Common pairings
a bonanza for someone oil bonanza tourist bonanza

Word forms

bonanzas plural

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The tourist boom was a _____ for local hotel owners.

Etymology

From Spanish bonanza, meaning fair weather or good luck at sea, which came from a Latin word for a calm sea. Its spelling was later shaped by confusion with the unrelated Latin bonus, "good."

Origin: Latin

boom gravy godsend windfall bunce gold rush manna from heaven

Related words

Rhymes for bonanza

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Frequently asked questions

What does “bonanza” mean?

The word “bonanza” means a rich, unexpected source of wealth, luck, or success. In plain terms, a sudden, generous stroke of luck or profit — much more than you were expecting.

How do you pronounce “bonanza”?

“Bonanza” is pronounced buh-NAN-zuh (/bəˈnæn.zə/ in IPA).

How do you use “bonanza” in a sentence?

Here is “bonanza” used in a sentence: “The tourist boom was a bonanza for local hotel owners.”

What part of speech is “bonanza”?

“Bonanza” is a noun.

Where does the word “bonanza” come from?

The word “bonanza” comes from Latin. From Spanish bonanza, meaning fair weather or good luck at sea, which came from a Latin word for a calm sea. Its spelling was later shaped by confusion with the unrelated Latin bonus, "good.".

How many meanings does “bonanza” have?

“Bonanza” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rich, unexpected source of wealth, luck, or success.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial