bonnyadj.n.¹adv.

Brit.

/ˈbɒni/, U.S.

/ˈbɑni/, Scottish English

/ˈbɔnɪ/, Irish English

/ˈbɑni/

Forms: 1500s bonie, 1500s bonye, 1500s–1600s bony, 1500s– bonnie, 1500s– bonny, 1800s bonni (English regional (Yorkshire)); Scottish pre-1700 boney, pre-1700 1700s bonie, pre-1700 1700s bony, pre-1700 1700s– bonnie, pre-1700 1700s– bonny, 1800s boanie (Shetland), 1900s boannie (Shetland); also Irish English 1800s boney (Wexford), 1800s bonny (northern), 1800s bony.

Origin: Of uncertain origin. Perhaps a borrowing from French, combined with an English element. Etymons: French bonne , -y suffix¹.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps < Middle French bonne, feminine of bon good (see boon adj.) + -y suffix¹.In early use most commonly written with a single n , but rhyming with mony (Scots variant of many adj.), which suggests a short vowel. N.E.D. (1887) and Sc. National Dict. (1941) both record an additional pronunciation from southern Scotland with /u/ in the first syllable, which could reflect the expected vowel for a derivation from Middle French bon (masculine) or from the borrowing of this shown by boon adj.

Now chiefly Scottish, English regional (chiefly northern and midlands), and Irish English (northern).

A. adj.

a. Of a person (or occasionally an animal): pleasing in appearance, good-looking; esp. (of a woman) pleasantly attractive (rather than stunningly beautiful), pretty. Sometimes also of a person's appearance. Also used as a form of address or term of endearment.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective]

faireOE

comelyOE

winlyOE

goodlyOE

hendya1250

hendc1275

quaintc1300

seemlyc1305

tidya1325

avenant1340

honestc1384

sightya1387

properc1390

well beseena1393

queema1400

speciousa1400

featousc1400

parisantc1400

rekenc1400

well-favoureda1438

wellc1450

spectable?a1475

delicatec1480

jollya1500

bonny?a1513

snog1513

viewlyc1536

goodlikec1550

sightly1555

sightful1565

beholdinga1586

eyesome?1587

decent1600

vage1604

prospicuous1605

eyely1614

fashionable1630

well-looking1638

softa1643

fineish1647

well-looked1660

of a good (also ugly, etc.) look1700

likely-looked1709

sonsy1720

smiling1725

aspectable1731

smirkya1758

likely-looking1771

respectable1776

magnificent-looking1790

producible1792

presentable1800

good-looking1804

nice-looking1807

bonnyish1855

spick1882

eyeable1887

aegyo2007

the mind > emotion > love > terms of endearment > [noun]

darlingc888

belamy?c1225

culver?c1225

dearc1230

sweetheartc1290

heartc1300

sweetc1330

honeya1375

dovec1386

jewelc1400

birdc1405

cinnamonc1405

honeycombc1405

lovec1405

wantonc1450

mulling?a1475

daisyc1485

crowdy-mowdy?a1513

honeysop?a1513

powsowdie?a1513

suckler?a1513

foolc1525

buttinga1529

whitinga1529

beautiful1534

turtle-dove1535

soula1538

heartikin1540

bully?1548

turtle1548

lamba1556

nyletc1557

sweet-lovea1560

coz1563

ding-ding1564

pugs1566

golpol1568

sparling1570

lover1573

pug1580

bulkin1582

mopsy1582

chuck1589

bonny1594

chick1594

sweetikin1596

ladybird1597

angel1598

muss1598

pinkany1599

sweetkin1599

duck1600

joy1600

sparrowc1600

sucket1605

nutting1606

chuckaby1607

tickling1607

bagpudding1608

heartling1608

chucking1609

dainty1611

flittermouse1612

honeysuckle1613

fubs1614

bawcocka1616

pretty1616

old thinga1625

bun1627

duckling1630

bulchin1633

bulch?c1640

sweetling1648

friscoa1652

ding-dongs1662

buntinga1668

cocky1680

dearie1681

chucky1683

lovey1684

machree1689

nykin1693

pinkaninny1696

nug1699

hinny1724

puss1753

pet1767

dovey1769

sweetie1778

lovey-dovey1781

lovely1791

ducky1819

toy1822

acushla1825

alanna1825

treat1825

amigo1830

honey child1832

macushla1834

cabbage1840

honey-bunch1874

angel pie1878

m'dear1887

bach1889

honey baby1895

prawn1895

hon1896

so-and-so1897

cariad1899

pumpkin1900

honey-bun1902

pussums1912

snookums1919

treasure1920

wogger1922

amico1929

sugar1930

baby cake1949

angel cake1951

lamb-chop1962

petal1974

bae2006

a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 106 Ȝe brek my hart, my bony ane.

1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. i. viii. f. 24 The ymage of our lady..beirand in her arme the bony ymage of hir sone..representis to vs the blissit Incarnatioun..of our saluiour.

1594 T. Morley Madrigalls to Foure Voyces i. sig. D.iij^v To whome but thee my bonny loue.

1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. v. 185 For bonny sweete Robin is all my ioy.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) v. iii. 13 The bonnie beast he loued so well.

1672 J. Playford Introd. Skill Musick (ed. 6) i. 64 Merry Lads are playing..Each with his bonny Lass.

1724 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. (new ed.) I. 171 On her ten thousand Graces wait, Each Swain admires, and owns she's bonny.

1790 R. Burns Tam o' Shanter 16 in Poems & Songs (1968) II. 557 Auld Ayr, wham ne'er a town surpasses, For honest men and bonny lasses.

1827 C. I. Johnstone Elizabeth De Bruce III. ii. 25 Hey, Effie! my bonnie doo!

1829 Ladies' Museum Oct. 202 Bonnie Prince Charlie and a' his men Were breathing auld Scotland's air again.

1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede I. i. ii. 49 Here Dinah turned to Bessy Cranage, whose bonny youth and evident vanity had touched her with pity.

1908 A. Birkhead Master-knot xvii. 171 Andrew and his splendid seat in the saddle and his bonny looks.

1932 ‘L. G. Gibbon’ Sunset Song i. 75 She was young as himself and bonny enough in a thin kind of way.

2001 A. O'Hare Green Eyes xi. 151 Aye, what a bonnie lass she was.

b. Of an object: attractive; beautiful or handsome; esp. (of a place) characterized by attractive landscape or architecture; scenic, pretty (used esp. as a conventional epithet in Bonnie Scotland).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [adjective]

smickerc725

faireOE

lieflyOE

sheenOE

wenlichc1000

wlitic1000

lovesomec1175

lustya1240

flourisheda1375

lovelya1400

weenc1400

beauteous1435

beautifulc1443

finec1450

pulchriousa1500

speciousa1513

shanda1525

speciosea1525

pulchrousc1540

bonny1580

beauty1598

lovelike1621

killing1634

florid1642

beautied1830

stunning1849

fairsome1862

pulchritudinous1877

beaut1894

loverly1907

the world > the earth > land > landscape > [adjective] > scenic

bonny1580

sceneful1747

scenic1784

1580 G. Harvey in E. Spenser & G. Harvey Three Proper & Wittie Lett. 35 O bonny Laurell: Needes to thy bowes will I bow this knee.

1689 T. D'Urfey Maiden-warrier (single sheet) For our bonny Scotland's geud, Some brave Action may deserve my Bloud.

1769 J. Morton College Exercise 18 I must hasten to pay my compliments to the twin sister of Ireland, the bonny Scotland.

1773 G. A. Stevens Trip to Portsmouth ii. 20 My town hoose at bonny Edingburgh is up the aught story.

1856 H. W. Longfellow Bird & Ship iii I greet thee, bonny boat.

1864 J. C. Atkinson Whitby Gloss. (at cited word) A bonny building, and a bonny size—handsome and spacious.

1919 Kindergarten–Primary Mag. Jan. 149/1 Oh, I love to see you waving, Bonny flag, bonny flag.

1972 G. M. Brown Greenvoe (1976) iii. 71 O Johnny, that's a lovely blouse, right bonny.

1997 A. Raife Larach xvi. 149 Poking through the tins of cook-in sauces and the Bonnie Scotland tea-towels.

a. As a general term of approbation: admirable, excellent, fine; of notable merit or distinction (often used ironically).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [adjective]

goodOE

winlyOE

snella1000

winc1275

boonc1325

cleana1375

tidya1375

positivea1398

comelyc1400

kindc1400

kindly?a1425

well-formeda1425

trim?a1513

wally?a1513

bonnya1525

delicatea1533

goodlike1562

sappy1563

bein1567

rum1567

benedict1576

warrantable1581

true (also good, sure) as touch1590

goodlisomea1603

respectable1603

clever1738

amusing1753

plummy1787

bone1793

brickish1843

mooi1850

ryebuck1859

spandy1868

greatisha1871

healthy1878

popular1884

beefy1903

onkus1910

quies1919

cushty1929

high-powered1969

not shabby1975

a1525 Thre Prestis of Peblis (Asloan) (1920) 14 Quhill at þe last of mony smallis couth mak This bony pedder a gud fut pak.

1629 Wine, Beere, & Ale sig. C3 But Ale, bonny Ale, with Spice and a Tost, In the morning's a daintie thing.

1640 H. Mill Nights Search xii. 54 What, what, my bonny Hackster! thou com'st last?

1661 T. St. Serfe Work Goes bonnely On 7 To put a greater lustre on the Bonny Work, some Loyal and Ingenious spirit hath composed this Madrigal.

?1775 S. Foote Maid of Bath ii. i. 27 Ah, Miss, but it [sc. wealth] is a bonny engredient [in happiness].

1827 J. Wilson Noctes Ambrosianae xxx, in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Jan. 106 You're a bonny fellow to ask that question.

1844 Bradford Observer 31 Oct. 7/5 There wor a bonny row kick't up wi' 'em.

1863 Mrs. Toogood Specim. Yorks. Dial. It will mak a bonny country-side talk.

1911 J. J. Bell Indiscretions of Maister Redhorn vii. 85 This is a bonny mess ye've gotten yersel' in!

1961 Times 11 Feb. 5/5 (advt.) For forty years the alternative has had such a bonny simplicity about it.

2001 Guardian (Nexis) 8 June 36 He always did have a bonny way with an irritating phrase or two.

b. bonny and ——: (as an intensifier with a predicative adjective) very, considerably.Cf. fine and —— at fine adj. 6, good and at good adj. 12c nice and —— at nice adj. 14b.

ΚΠ

1752 H. Walpole Let. 23 Mar. in Lett. to H. Mann (1833) III. 6 Mr. Chute cannot bear it; says it..looks bonny and Irish.

1872 A. W. Bickerdike Beacon Almanack for 1873 f. 9 They luckt varry weel, an' awve noa daat felt bonny an' praad.

1889 H. Johnston Chron. Glenbuckie 58 The elders are bonny and angry about it.

1918 Kelso Chron. 11 Jan. 3/3 Dauvit wad be bonnie an' mad if I let it away wi' a useless whalp like you.

1924 J. H. Wilkinson Leeds Dial. Gloss. & Lore 77 Ah feel bonny an' cowd this mornin'.

1977 G. Todd Geordie Words & Phrases 7 Me faathor's bonny an' baad.

2005 A. Fenton Buchan Words & Ways iv. 77 The fire had tae be bonny an reed for this jobbie.

a. Considerable or sufficient in duration, size, or amount; moderately large or long; good, fair. In early use also of a period of time: †brief; short (obsolete). Now rare except as implied in a bonny penny at sense A. 3b.With reference to a period of time often in a bonny while.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > love > terms of endearment > [adjective]

sweeta1225

ownc1300

deara1325

littlec1405

whitec1460

bonny1540

honeya1556

nitty1598

honey-sweeta1616

old1644

dearie1691

ou1838

diddy1963

1540 in B. Cusack Everyday Eng. 1500–1700 (1998) 113 And within ane bony spaice ye gudman come riddand to ye stair fut.

?1590–1 J. Burel Passage of Pilgremer i, in Poems sig. O I thocht it best..to conuene Ane bonie nomber.

1596 in J. R. N. Macphail Highland Papers (1914) I. 188 Within a bonny while..he tuik occasioune..to advyse me.

c1626 H. Bisset Rolment Courtis (1920) I. 288 Then this beand sayd, he sall say thus, eftir that he haif pawsed a bony quhyle.

1806 Scots Mag. June 440/2 She stood a bonny wee, then ran away.

1864 J. C. Atkinson Whitby Gloss. (at cited word) A bonny building, and a bonny size—handsome and spacious.

1903 J. S. Fletcher Lucian the Dreamer x. 116 You and your fathers afore you have been on his land and his father's land a bonny stretch o' time.

1926 M. Argo Makkin' o' John (ed. 4) 6 Bit we wad ha'e kent a bonnie differ wi' frem't fowk.

a1967 C. M. Costie Coll. Orkney Dial. Tales (1976) 57 Hid wad be a bonnie while tae waet afore he wad ebb far enouf tae tak lempets an' mussels.

b. a bonny penny: a considerable sum of money; a significant cost. Cf. a pretty penny at penny n. Phrases 1c.

ΚΠ

1822 W. Scott Fortunes of Nigel III. xii. 250 This will cost you a bonnie penny, this wedding-dinner?

1886 St. Louis (Missouri) Globe-Democrat 2 Feb. 12/1 They will have to pay a bonny penny for them soon!

1928 N. Shepherd Quarry Wood vii A bonny penny she'll be for books.

1946 Robesonian (Lumberton, N. Carolina) 29 May (advt.) 3/2 Buy the best of any to save a bonny penny!

1999 Evening Chron. (Newcastle) (Nexis) 21 July 23 The practice of flying around the globe in Concorde, which must have cost the tax payer a bonny penny.

4. Having a happy, jovial, or pleasant appearance or disposition; jolly, cheerful-looking, smiling.Frequently in collocation with blithe.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [adjective] > cheerful-looking

bonny1590

fowie1599

laughing-eyed1784

roseate1787

blithe-looking1846

1590 Cobler of Caunterburie 17 A countrie lasse, that was a blythe and bonny wench.

1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing ii. iii. 66 Then sigh not so, but let them go, And be you blith and bonnie .

1616 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Scornful Ladie iii. sig. F3^v By blithe and bonny Steward.

1681 T. Jordan London's Joy 13 From Torments or Troubles of Body or Mind, Your Bonny brisk Planters are free as the Wind.

1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 242 It may make you bonny and blith.

1737 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. IV. 104 She is sae jimp, sae gamp, sae gay, Sae capernoytie, and sae bonny.

a1774 R. Fergusson Poems (1785) 145 The graces That aft conveen In gleefu' looks and bonnie faces.

1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe I. vii. 96 Report speaks you a bonny monk.

1866 W. Henderson Notes Folk Lore Northern Counties i. 2 The child that is born on the Sabbath-day, Is blithe and bonny, good and gay.

1881 Pierceton (Indiana) Independent 20 July Dell Mortimer's face wore a bonny, happy expression as she sped with the crowd down Fourteenth street.

1942 Times Lit. Suppl. 31 Oct. 537/4 The lovers are blithe and bonny.

2016 ‘J. le Carré’ Pigeon Tunnel xxii. 161 Joseph was not always an easy conversation partner, but over lunch he was unusually bonny, thanks not least to several large Black Label whiskies.

†a. Strongly and stoutly built; large-framed, ‘strapping’. Obsolete.Bonnie in quot. a1616 has alternatively been interpreted as an instance of bony adj. 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > largeness > [adjective]

unlittleeOE

mickleeOE

greateOE

mucha1154

mainc1275

boldc1300

fadec1330

largec1392

tallc1430

big1444

masterfula1450

grand1452

largy1558

fine1590

bonnya1600

large-sized1628

roomly1682

lumping?1706

maun1743

strapping1827

barn door1829

serious1843

jumboesque1893

jumbo1897

economy-sized1930

L1942

jumbo-size1949

economy size1950

a1600 R. Hooker Serm. in Wks. (1841) III. 705 Issachar, though bonny and strong enough unto any labour, doth couch.

a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. iii. 8 The bonnie priser of the humorous Duke.

b. Having a healthy appearance, well-looking; (esp. of a baby or child) having a healthy or attractive plumpness. Also: feeling well; in good health or spirits.

ΚΠ

1614 T. Freeman Rubbe & Great Cast ii. l. sig. H4^v Hee's neuer sicke,..And lookes so buxsome, bonny, and so blithe, Not dreaming once of death.

?1672–96 T. Bowne Tobia's Advice (single sheet) When I was young I did the like, then I was brisk and bonny.

1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones IV. xi. ix. 172 The bonny House-maid begins to repair the disordered Drum-Room.

1797 J. Woodforde Diary 24 Nov. (1931) V. 83 Frost this Morning which pinched me much but got up this Morning quite bonny thank God.

a1864 J. Clare Poems (1935) 345 Bonny and stout and brown, without a hat, She frowns offended when they call her fat.

1877 F. Ross et al. Gloss. Words Holderness (at cited word) Hoo's thy wife? Oh, she's bonny.

1914 Living Age 19 Sept. 761/2 He told me how bonny children known to him lost their color and their youthful energy in the hard drudgery of this daily toil.

1955 Times 14 July 10/6 George..cannot ever have been a bonny baby. He simply wasn't fed right at the start.

2017 @parkin_cake 2 Feb. in twitter.com (O.E.D. Archive) I'm bonny. Pretty tired. Agy is a baby of little sleep. But overall good.

B. n.¹

An attractive or beloved person or animal. Frequently as a form of address, esp. in my bonny, my bonnies.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [noun] > beautiful thing or person > beautiful person > beautiful woman

clearc1330

comelya1375

wlonk?a1400

brightc1400

gayc1400

sheenc1400

violet1412

berylc1440

blossomc1440

bonnya1529

pertc1540

bonylasse1546

Venus?1572

spark1575

bellibone1579

bonnibel1579

nymph1584

cheruba1616

lily1622

bellea1640

fine1639

toast1700

houri1745

belle dame1768

peri1813

beauty queen1835

stallion1970

a1529 J. Skelton Tunnyng of Elynour Rummyng in Certayne Bks. (?1545) 227 Wyth ‘Bas, my pretty bonny’.

1683 Life & Death George of Oxf. (single sheet) Go Saddle me my milk-white Steed, go Saddle me my bonny.

1856 J. B. Jones War-path xv. 213 They called the saucy squirrels that gazed at them from the low boughs their bonnies.

1870 N. Philip Penguin Bk. Sc. Folktales 21 I weird that if she was a bonnie afore, she'll be ten times bonnier.

1922 Labor Digest Apr. 39/2 Mind I'm tellin' ye! I'm a fire laddie, my bonnies!

1970 ‘D. Forrest’ Great Dinosaur Robbery ii. 56 ‘Right, ma bonnies,’ said Hettie. ‘Let's not waste any more time.’

2004 J. Woods Handful of Ashes (Electronic ed.) (2014) xix Hush now, my bonny... I'll take you through to the other room so you can rest.

C. adv.

1. Finely, beautifully, nicely; well. Cf. bonnily adv.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [adverb]

lieflyc900

merelyeOE

fairOE

lovelya1375

featously1377

belliche1394

finelya1400

buttylly1496

lovelilya1500

well-favouredly1528

beautifully1538

beauteously1592

bonnily1595

love-likely1621

bonny1650

beautiful1767

1650 J. Row Wounds Kirk o' Scotl. 4 The Kirk of Scotland was eance a bonnie trotting nagg... Then shee became a bonnie-paceing beast.

1824 W. Carr Horæ Momenta Cravenæ 23 Them men'll hev a bonny easy peddle ont' top o' th' beacon for their hauf a crown a day.

1825 A. Cunningham Songs of Scotl. III. 305 My hamely hearth burn'd bonnie.

1874 R. Wanlock Moorland Rhymes 49 Roun' by Necony the heather blumes bonnie, And sweet is the lilt o' the moss-cheeper's sang.

1887 A. Jessopp Arcady vii. 188 She's getting on bonny, sir!

1931 A. J. Cronin Hatter's Castle xxiv Impelled..by his own bitterness..he continued: ‘Ye've brocht up a' your children bonnie, bonnie’.

2002 S. Blackhall Fower Quarters iii. 97 I dinna think I iver heard ma faither sing bonnier.

2. As an intensifier: very, considerably.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > very

tooc888

swith971

wellOE

fullOE

rightc1175

muchc1225

wellac1275

gainlya1375

endlyc1440

hard?1440

very1448

odda1500

great1535

jolly1549

fellc1600

veryvery1649

gooda1655

vastly1664

strange1667

bloody1676

ever so1686

heartily1727

real1771

precious1775

quarely1805

murry1818

très1819

freely1820

powerfula1822

gurt1824

almighty1830

heap1832

all-fired1833

gradely1850

real1856

bonny1857

heavens1858

veddy1859

canny1867

some1867

oh-so1881

storming1883

spanking1886

socking1896

hefty1898

velly1898

fair dinkum1904

plurry1907

Pygmalion1914

dinkum1915

beaucoup1918

dirty1920

molto1923

snorting1924

honking1929

hellishing1931

thumpingly1948

way1965

mega1966

mondo1968

seriously1970

totally1972

mucho1978

stonking1990

1857 Misty Morning (2nd Thousand) 21 I was bonny angry mysel'.

1883 A. S. Swan Aldersyde i. x. 152 Bonnie gled I was tae see his back.

1922 H. Duffus in Mair Swatches o' Hamespun 39 A'body kent bonnie weel the laird wis loasin' money.

1949 Current Hist. Nov. 272 Why do ye no furnish it wi' a bonny loud whustle?

2013 @TheFirstTaiPan 10 Feb. in twitter.com (O.E.D. Archive) A bonnie big mistake!

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2018; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

单词	bonny
释义	† bonnyn.² Forms: 1600s–1700s bonny, 1700s bonney. Origin: Probably a variant or alteration of another lexical item. Etymon: bunny n.³ Etymology: Probably a variant of bunny n.³ Mining. Obsolete. A separate mass or body of ore, not connected with a vein. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > minerals > mineral deposits > [noun] > stratum or bed delf1601 measure1665 bonny1671 streak1672 1671 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 6 2098 Squatts are certain distinct places in the earth, not running in veins, differing from Bonnys..in this only that Squatts are flat, Bonnys are roundish. 1719 Glossographia Anglicana Nova (ed. 2) Bonny, the Miners Term for a distinct Bed of Oar that communicates with no Vein. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2018; most recently modified version published online December 2020). bonnyadj.n.¹adv. Brit. /ˈbɒni/, U.S. /ˈbɑni/, Scottish English /ˈbɔnɪ/, Irish English /ˈbɑni/ Forms: 1500s bonie, 1500s bonye, 1500s–1600s bony, 1500s– bonnie, 1500s– bonny, 1800s bonni (English regional (Yorkshire)); Scottish pre-1700 boney, pre-1700 1700s bonie, pre-1700 1700s bony, pre-1700 1700s– bonnie, pre-1700 1700s– bonny, 1800s boanie (Shetland), 1900s boannie (Shetland); also Irish English 1800s boney (Wexford), 1800s bonny (northern), 1800s bony. Origin: Of uncertain origin. Perhaps a borrowing from French, combined with an English element. Etymons: French bonne , -y suffix¹. Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps < Middle French bonne, feminine of bon good (see boon adj.) + -y suffix¹.In early use most commonly written with a single n , but rhyming with mony (Scots variant of many adj.), which suggests a short vowel. N.E.D. (1887) and Sc. National Dict. (1941) both record an additional pronunciation from southern Scotland with /u/ in the first syllable, which could reflect the expected vowel for a derivation from Middle French bon (masculine) or from the borrowing of this shown by boon adj. Now chiefly Scottish, English regional (chiefly northern and midlands), and Irish English (northern). A. adj. 1. a. Of a person (or occasionally an animal): pleasing in appearance, good-looking; esp. (of a woman) pleasantly attractive (rather than stunningly beautiful), pretty. Sometimes also of a person's appearance. Also used as a form of address or term of endearment. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] faireOE comelyOE winlyOE goodlyOE hendya1250 hendc1275 quaintc1300 seemlyc1305 tidya1325 avenant1340 honestc1384 sightya1387 properc1390 well beseena1393 queema1400 speciousa1400 featousc1400 parisantc1400 rekenc1400 well-favoureda1438 wellc1450 spectable?a1475 delicatec1480 jollya1500 bonny?a1513 snog1513 viewlyc1536 goodlikec1550 sightly1555 sightful1565 beholdinga1586 eyesome?1587 decent1600 vage1604 prospicuous1605 eyely1614 fashionable1630 well-looking1638 softa1643 fineish1647 well-looked1660 of a good (also ugly, etc.) look1700 likely-looked1709 sonsy1720 smiling1725 aspectable1731 smirkya1758 likely-looking1771 respectable1776 magnificent-looking1790 producible1792 presentable1800 good-looking1804 nice-looking1807 bonnyish1855 spick1882 eyeable1887 aegyo2007 the mind > emotion > love > terms of endearment > [noun] darlingc888 belamy?c1225 culver?c1225 dearc1230 sweetheartc1290 heartc1300 sweetc1330 honeya1375 dovec1386 jewelc1400 birdc1405 cinnamonc1405 honeycombc1405 lovec1405 wantonc1450 mulling?a1475 daisyc1485 crowdy-mowdy?a1513 honeysop?a1513 powsowdie?a1513 suckler?a1513 foolc1525 buttinga1529 whitinga1529 beautiful1534 turtle-dove1535 soula1538 heartikin1540 bully?1548 turtle1548 lamba1556 nyletc1557 sweet-lovea1560 coz1563 ding-ding1564 pugs1566 golpol1568 sparling1570 lover1573 pug1580 bulkin1582 mopsy1582 chuck1589 bonny1594 chick1594 sweetikin1596 ladybird1597 angel1598 muss1598 pinkany1599 sweetkin1599 duck1600 joy1600 sparrowc1600 sucket1605 nutting1606 chuckaby1607 tickling1607 bagpudding1608 heartling1608 chucking1609 dainty1611 flittermouse1612 honeysuckle1613 fubs1614 bawcocka1616 pretty1616 old thinga1625 bun1627 duckling1630 bulchin1633 bulch?c1640 sweetling1648 friscoa1652 ding-dongs1662 buntinga1668 cocky1680 dearie1681 chucky1683 lovey1684 machree1689 nykin1693 pinkaninny1696 nug1699 hinny1724 puss1753 pet1767 dovey1769 sweetie1778 lovey-dovey1781 lovely1791 ducky1819 toy1822 acushla1825 alanna1825 treat1825 amigo1830 honey child1832 macushla1834 cabbage1840 honey-bunch1874 angel pie1878 m'dear1887 bach1889 honey baby1895 prawn1895 hon1896 so-and-so1897 cariad1899 pumpkin1900 honey-bun1902 pussums1912 snookums1919 treasure1920 wogger1922 amico1929 sugar1930 baby cake1949 angel cake1951 lamb-chop1962 petal1974 bae2006 a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 106 Ȝe brek my hart, my bony ane. 1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. i. viii. f. 24 The ymage of our lady..beirand in her arme the bony ymage of hir sone..representis to vs the blissit Incarnatioun..of our saluiour. 1594 T. Morley Madrigalls to Foure Voyces i. sig. D.iij^v To whome but thee my bonny loue. 1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. v. 185 For bonny sweete Robin is all my ioy. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) v. iii. 13 The bonnie beast he loued so well. View more context for this quotation 1672 J. Playford Introd. Skill Musick (ed. 6) i. 64 Merry Lads are playing..Each with his bonny Lass. 1724 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. (new ed.) I. 171 On her ten thousand Graces wait, Each Swain admires, and owns she's bonny. 1790 R. Burns Tam o' Shanter 16 in Poems & Songs (1968) II. 557 Auld Ayr, wham ne'er a town surpasses, For honest men and bonny lasses. 1827 C. I. Johnstone Elizabeth De Bruce III. ii. 25 Hey, Effie! my bonnie doo! 1829 Ladies' Museum Oct. 202 Bonnie Prince Charlie and a' his men Were breathing auld Scotland's air again. 1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede I. i. ii. 49 Here Dinah turned to Bessy Cranage, whose bonny youth and evident vanity had touched her with pity. 1908 A. Birkhead Master-knot xvii. 171 Andrew and his splendid seat in the saddle and his bonny looks. 1932 ‘L. G. Gibbon’ Sunset Song i. 75 She was young as himself and bonny enough in a thin kind of way. 2001 A. O'Hare Green Eyes xi. 151 Aye, what a bonnie lass she was. b. Of an object: attractive; beautiful or handsome; esp. (of a place) characterized by attractive landscape or architecture; scenic, pretty (used esp. as a conventional epithet in Bonnie Scotland). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [adjective] smickerc725 faireOE lieflyOE sheenOE wenlichc1000 wlitic1000 lovesomec1175 lustya1240 flourisheda1375 lovelya1400 weenc1400 beauteous1435 beautifulc1443 finec1450 pulchriousa1500 speciousa1513 shanda1525 speciosea1525 pulchrousc1540 bonny1580 beauty1598 lovelike1621 killing1634 florid1642 beautied1830 stunning1849 fairsome1862 pulchritudinous1877 beaut1894 loverly1907 the world > the earth > land > landscape > [adjective] > scenic bonny1580 sceneful1747 scenic1784 1580 G. Harvey in E. Spenser & G. Harvey Three Proper & Wittie Lett. 35 O bonny Laurell: Needes to thy bowes will I bow this knee. 1689 T. D'Urfey Maiden-warrier (single sheet) For our bonny Scotland's geud, Some brave Action may deserve my Bloud. 1769 J. Morton College Exercise 18 I must hasten to pay my compliments to the twin sister of Ireland, the bonny Scotland. 1773 G. A. Stevens Trip to Portsmouth ii. 20 My town hoose at bonny Edingburgh is up the aught story. 1856 H. W. Longfellow Bird & Ship iii I greet thee, bonny boat. 1864 J. C. Atkinson Whitby Gloss. (at cited word) A bonny building, and a bonny size—handsome and spacious. 1919 Kindergarten–Primary Mag. Jan. 149/1 Oh, I love to see you waving, Bonny flag, bonny flag. 1972 G. M. Brown Greenvoe (1976) iii. 71 O Johnny, that's a lovely blouse, right bonny. 1997 A. Raife Larach xvi. 149 Poking through the tins of cook-in sauces and the Bonnie Scotland tea-towels. 2. a. As a general term of approbation: admirable, excellent, fine; of notable merit or distinction (often used ironically). ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [adjective] goodOE winlyOE snella1000 winc1275 boonc1325 cleana1375 tidya1375 positivea1398 comelyc1400 kindc1400 kindly?a1425 well-formeda1425 trim?a1513 wally?a1513 bonnya1525 delicatea1533 goodlike1562 sappy1563 bein1567 rum1567 benedict1576 warrantable1581 true (also good, sure) as touch1590 goodlisomea1603 respectable1603 clever1738 amusing1753 plummy1787 bone1793 brickish1843 mooi1850 ryebuck1859 spandy1868 greatisha1871 healthy1878 popular1884 beefy1903 onkus1910 quies1919 cushty1929 high-powered1969 not shabby1975 a1525 Thre Prestis of Peblis (Asloan) (1920) 14 Quhill at þe last of mony smallis couth mak This bony pedder a gud fut pak. 1629 Wine, Beere, & Ale sig. C3 But Ale, bonny Ale, with Spice and a Tost, In the morning's a daintie thing. 1640 H. Mill Nights Search xii. 54 What, what, my bonny Hackster! thou com'st last? 1661 T. St. Serfe Work Goes bonnely On 7 To put a greater lustre on the Bonny Work, some Loyal and Ingenious spirit hath composed this Madrigal. ?1775 S. Foote Maid of Bath ii. i. 27 Ah, Miss, but it [sc. wealth] is a bonny engredient [in happiness]. 1827 J. Wilson Noctes Ambrosianae xxx, in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Jan. 106 You're a bonny fellow to ask that question. 1844 Bradford Observer 31 Oct. 7/5 There wor a bonny row kick't up wi' 'em. 1863 Mrs. Toogood Specim. Yorks. Dial. It will mak a bonny country-side talk. 1911 J. J. Bell Indiscretions of Maister Redhorn vii. 85 This is a bonny mess ye've gotten yersel' in! 1961 Times 11 Feb. 5/5 (advt.) For forty years the alternative has had such a bonny simplicity about it. 2001 Guardian (Nexis) 8 June 36 He always did have a bonny way with an irritating phrase or two. b. bonny and ——: (as an intensifier with a predicative adjective) very, considerably.Cf. fine and —— at fine adj. 6, good and at good adj. 12c nice and —— at nice adj. 14b. ΚΠ 1752 H. Walpole Let. 23 Mar. in Lett. to H. Mann (1833) III. 6 Mr. Chute cannot bear it; says it..looks bonny and Irish. 1872 A. W. Bickerdike Beacon Almanack for 1873 f. 9 They luckt varry weel, an' awve noa daat felt bonny an' praad. 1889 H. Johnston Chron. Glenbuckie 58 The elders are bonny and angry about it. 1918 Kelso Chron. 11 Jan. 3/3 Dauvit wad be bonnie an' mad if I let it away wi' a useless whalp like you. 1924 J. H. Wilkinson Leeds Dial. Gloss. & Lore 77 Ah feel bonny an' cowd this mornin'. 1977 G. Todd Geordie Words & Phrases 7 Me faathor's bonny an' baad. 2005 A. Fenton Buchan Words & Ways iv. 77 The fire had tae be bonny an reed for this jobbie. 3. a. Considerable or sufficient in duration, size, or amount; moderately large or long; good, fair. In early use also of a period of time: †brief; short (obsolete). Now rare except as implied in a bonny penny at sense A. 3b.With reference to a period of time often in a bonny while. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > love > terms of endearment > [adjective] sweeta1225 ownc1300 deara1325 littlec1405 whitec1460 bonny1540 honeya1556 nitty1598 honey-sweeta1616 old1644 dearie1691 ou1838 diddy1963 1540 in B. Cusack Everyday Eng. 1500–1700 (1998) 113 And within ane bony spaice ye gudman come riddand to ye stair fut. ?1590–1 J. Burel Passage of Pilgremer i, in Poems sig. O I thocht it best..to conuene Ane bonie nomber. 1596 in J. R. N. Macphail Highland Papers (1914) I. 188 Within a bonny while..he tuik occasioune..to advyse me. c1626 H. Bisset Rolment Courtis (1920) I. 288 Then this beand sayd, he sall say thus, eftir that he haif pawsed a bony quhyle. 1806 Scots Mag. June 440/2 She stood a bonny wee, then ran away. 1864 J. C. Atkinson Whitby Gloss. (at cited word) A bonny building, and a bonny size—handsome and spacious. 1903 J. S. Fletcher Lucian the Dreamer x. 116 You and your fathers afore you have been on his land and his father's land a bonny stretch o' time. 1926 M. Argo Makkin' o' John (ed. 4) 6 Bit we wad ha'e kent a bonnie differ wi' frem't fowk. a1967 C. M. Costie Coll. Orkney Dial. Tales (1976) 57 Hid wad be a bonnie while tae waet afore he wad ebb far enouf tae tak lempets an' mussels. b. a bonny penny: a considerable sum of money; a significant cost. Cf. a pretty penny at penny n. Phrases 1c. ΚΠ 1822 W. Scott Fortunes of Nigel III. xii. 250 This will cost you a bonnie penny, this wedding-dinner? 1886 St. Louis (Missouri) Globe-Democrat 2 Feb. 12/1 They will have to pay a bonny penny for them soon! 1928 N. Shepherd Quarry Wood vii A bonny penny she'll be for books. 1946 Robesonian (Lumberton, N. Carolina) 29 May (advt.) 3/2 Buy the best of any to save a bonny penny! 1999 Evening Chron. (Newcastle) (Nexis) 21 July 23 The practice of flying around the globe in Concorde, which must have cost the tax payer a bonny penny. 4. Having a happy, jovial, or pleasant appearance or disposition; jolly, cheerful-looking, smiling.Frequently in collocation with blithe. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [adjective] > cheerful-looking bonny1590 fowie1599 laughing-eyed1784 roseate1787 blithe-looking1846 1590 Cobler of Caunterburie 17 A countrie lasse, that was a blythe and bonny wench. 1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing ii. iii. 66 Then sigh not so, but let them go, And be you blith and bonnie . View more context for this quotation 1616 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Scornful Ladie iii. sig. F3^v By blithe and bonny Steward. 1681 T. Jordan London's Joy 13 From Torments or Troubles of Body or Mind, Your Bonny brisk Planters are free as the Wind. 1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 242 It may make you bonny and blith. View more context for this quotation 1737 A. Ramsay Tea-table Misc. IV. 104 She is sae jimp, sae gamp, sae gay, Sae capernoytie, and sae bonny. a1774 R. Fergusson Poems (1785) 145 The graces That aft conveen In gleefu' looks and bonnie faces. 1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe I. vii. 96 Report speaks you a bonny monk. 1866 W. Henderson Notes Folk Lore Northern Counties i. 2 The child that is born on the Sabbath-day, Is blithe and bonny, good and gay. 1881 Pierceton (Indiana) Independent 20 July Dell Mortimer's face wore a bonny, happy expression as she sped with the crowd down Fourteenth street. 1942 Times Lit. Suppl. 31 Oct. 537/4 The lovers are blithe and bonny. 2016 ‘J. le Carré’ Pigeon Tunnel xxii. 161 Joseph was not always an easy conversation partner, but over lunch he was unusually bonny, thanks not least to several large Black Label whiskies. 5. †a. Strongly and stoutly built; large-framed, ‘strapping’. Obsolete.Bonnie in quot. a1616 has alternatively been interpreted as an instance of bony adj. 2. ΘΚΠ the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > largeness > [adjective] unlittleeOE mickleeOE greateOE mucha1154 mainc1275 boldc1300 fadec1330 largec1392 tallc1430 big1444 masterfula1450 grand1452 largy1558 fine1590 bonnya1600 large-sized1628 roomly1682 lumping?1706 maun1743 strapping1827 barn door1829 serious1843 jumboesque1893 jumbo1897 economy-sized1930 L1942 jumbo-size1949 economy size1950 a1600 R. Hooker Serm. in Wks. (1841) III. 705 Issachar, though bonny and strong enough unto any labour, doth couch. a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. iii. 8 The bonnie priser of the humorous Duke. View more context for this quotation b. Having a healthy appearance, well-looking; (esp. of a baby or child) having a healthy or attractive plumpness. Also: feeling well; in good health or spirits. ΚΠ 1614 T. Freeman Rubbe & Great Cast ii. l. sig. H4^v Hee's neuer sicke,..And lookes so buxsome, bonny, and so blithe, Not dreaming once of death. ?1672–96 T. Bowne Tobia's Advice (single sheet) When I was young I did the like, then I was brisk and bonny. 1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones IV. xi. ix. 172 The bonny House-maid begins to repair the disordered Drum-Room. View more context for this quotation 1797 J. Woodforde Diary 24 Nov. (1931) V. 83 Frost this Morning which pinched me much but got up this Morning quite bonny thank God. a1864 J. Clare Poems (1935) 345 Bonny and stout and brown, without a hat, She frowns offended when they call her fat. 1877 F. Ross et al. Gloss. Words Holderness (at cited word) Hoo's thy wife? Oh, she's bonny. 1914 Living Age 19 Sept. 761/2 He told me how bonny children known to him lost their color and their youthful energy in the hard drudgery of this daily toil. 1955 Times 14 July 10/6 George..cannot ever have been a bonny baby. He simply wasn't fed right at the start. 2017 @parkin_cake 2 Feb. in twitter.com (O.E.D. Archive) I'm bonny. Pretty tired. Agy is a baby of little sleep. But overall good. B. n.¹ An attractive or beloved person or animal. Frequently as a form of address, esp. in my bonny, my bonnies. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [noun] > beautiful thing or person > beautiful person > beautiful woman clearc1330 comelya1375 wlonk?a1400 brightc1400 gayc1400 sheenc1400 violet1412 berylc1440 blossomc1440 bonnya1529 pertc1540 bonylasse1546 Venus?1572 spark1575 bellibone1579 bonnibel1579 nymph1584 cheruba1616 lily1622 bellea1640 fine1639 toast1700 houri1745 belle dame1768 peri1813 beauty queen1835 stallion1970 a1529 J. Skelton Tunnyng of Elynour Rummyng in Certayne Bks. (?1545) 227 Wyth ‘Bas, my pretty bonny’. 1683 Life & Death George of Oxf. (single sheet) Go Saddle me my milk-white Steed, go Saddle me my bonny. 1856 J. B. Jones War-path xv. 213 They called the saucy squirrels that gazed at them from the low boughs their bonnies. 1870 N. Philip Penguin Bk. Sc. Folktales 21 I weird that if she was a bonnie afore, she'll be ten times bonnier. 1922 Labor Digest Apr. 39/2 Mind I'm tellin' ye! I'm a fire laddie, my bonnies! 1970 ‘D. Forrest’ Great Dinosaur Robbery ii. 56 ‘Right, ma bonnies,’ said Hettie. ‘Let's not waste any more time.’ 2004 J. Woods Handful of Ashes (Electronic ed.) (2014) xix Hush now, my bonny... I'll take you through to the other room so you can rest. C. adv. 1. Finely, beautifully, nicely; well. Cf. bonnily adv. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [adverb] lieflyc900 merelyeOE fairOE lovelya1375 featously1377 belliche1394 finelya1400 buttylly1496 lovelilya1500 well-favouredly1528 beautifully1538 beauteously1592 bonnily1595 love-likely1621 bonny1650 beautiful1767 1650 J. Row Wounds Kirk o' Scotl. 4 The Kirk of Scotland was eance a bonnie trotting nagg... Then shee became a bonnie-paceing beast. 1824 W. Carr Horæ Momenta Cravenæ 23 Them men'll hev a bonny easy peddle ont' top o' th' beacon for their hauf a crown a day. 1825 A. Cunningham Songs of Scotl. III. 305 My hamely hearth burn'd bonnie. 1874 R. Wanlock Moorland Rhymes 49 Roun' by Necony the heather blumes bonnie, And sweet is the lilt o' the moss-cheeper's sang. 1887 A. Jessopp Arcady vii. 188 She's getting on bonny, sir! 1931 A. J. Cronin Hatter's Castle xxiv Impelled..by his own bitterness..he continued: ‘Ye've brocht up a' your children bonnie, bonnie’. 2002 S. Blackhall Fower Quarters iii. 97 I dinna think I iver heard ma faither sing bonnier. 2. As an intensifier: very, considerably. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > very tooc888 swith971 wellOE wellOE fullOE rightc1175 muchc1225 wellac1275 gainlya1375 endlyc1440 hard?1440 very1448 odda1500 great1535 jolly1549 fellc1600 veryvery1649 gooda1655 vastly1664 strange1667 bloody1676 ever so1686 heartily1727 real1771 precious1775 quarely1805 murry1818 très1819 freely1820 powerfula1822 gurt1824 almighty1830 heap1832 all-fired1833 gradely1850 real1856 bonny1857 heavens1858 veddy1859 canny1867 some1867 oh-so1881 storming1883 spanking1886 socking1896 hefty1898 velly1898 fair dinkum1904 plurry1907 Pygmalion1914 dinkum1915 beaucoup1918 dirty1920 molto1923 snorting1924 honking1929 hellishing1931 thumpingly1948 way1965 mega1966 mondo1968 seriously1970 totally1972 mucho1978 stonking1990 1857 Misty Morning (2nd Thousand) 21 I was bonny angry mysel'. 1883 A. S. Swan Aldersyde i. x. 152 Bonnie gled I was tae see his back. 1922 H. Duffus in Mair Swatches o' Hamespun 39 A'body kent bonnie weel the laird wis loasin' money. 1949 Current Hist. Nov. 272 Why do ye no furnish it wi' a bonny loud whustle? 2013 @TheFirstTaiPan 10 Feb. in twitter.com (O.E.D. Archive) A bonnie big mistake! This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2018; most recently modified version published online December 2021). < n.²1671adj.n.¹adv.?a1513
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† bonnyn.2

bonnyadj.n.1adv.

† bonnyn.²

bonnyadj.n.¹adv.