boon
/buːn
/noun
1 [usually in singular] A thing that is helpful or beneficial: the route will be a boon to many travellers...
- The evolution of sophisticated chargeback programs has been a boon to facility and real estate executives.
- As a side benefit I am sure the bridge will also be a boon to fishermen and will be lined every night with salmon poachers slinging their hooks into the racing tide.
- Yet, amazingly, instead of being hailed as a boon to public safety… it was criticized as a threat to privacy.
Synonyms
blessing, godsend, bonus, good thing, benefit, help, aid, advantage, gain, asset, privilege, luxury;
windfall, bonanza, stroke of luck, piece of good fortune
informal perk, plus, plus point, pro
formal perquisite
literary benison
2 archaic A favour or request.One night, as Charumathi slept, Goddess Mahalakshmi appeared in her dreams and asked her to perform a puja to Varalakshmi, the goddess who granted boons....
- The statue of the goddess in the sanctum was small and was heavily garlanded with bells and gold borders - offerings made to the goddess for boons granted.
- He has long been deafened by amplified hymns in his temple, leaving no scope for boons and prayers.
Origin
Middle English (originally in the sense 'request for a favour'): from Old Norse bón.