bonus baby: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Informal, Journalistic, Historical (within sports)
Quick answer
What does “bonus baby” mean?
A highly promising young athlete, typically in baseball, who signs a professional contract with a large bonus, often leading to special treatment and expectations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A highly promising young athlete, typically in baseball, who signs a professional contract with a large bonus, often leading to special treatment and expectations.
More broadly, any young person, especially in a professional context, who receives a significant benefit, opportunity, or signing reward based on their perceived potential, sometimes leading to resentment from more established peers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is American in origin and primarily associated with US sports culture. In British contexts, it is understood but rarely used outside of discussions of American sports or as a conscious borrowing in business/media.
Connotations
In the US, it has strong historical/sports-specific connotations. In the UK, if used, it is more likely a metaphorical extension in business or general culture.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English; very low frequency in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “bonus baby” in a Sentence
[Noun phrase] + be/label as + a bonus babyThe team signed a bonus baby.They treated the rookie like a bonus baby.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphor for a new executive or graduate hired with an exceptionally high salary and perks, potentially causing team friction.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in sociology or sports history papers discussing labour and talent in professional sports.
Everyday
Very rare. Possibly used in conversations among avid sports fans.
Technical
Specific term in baseball history (1950s-1960s) for a player subject to the "bonus rule," requiring immediate major league roster placement.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bonus baby”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bonus baby”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bonus baby”
- Using it as a general compliment without the connotation of privileged status or pressure. *"She's such a hard worker, a real bonus baby for the company." (Incorrect, implies she was bought, not that she worked hard).
- Using it for experienced professionals. It specifically implies youth and newness.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's a metaphorical extension. It's used in business, entertainment, or any field where a young, promising individual receives exceptional upfront rewards, often with the same mixed connotations of hope and resentment.
It is context-dependent. It can be a neutral descriptive term in sports journalism. However, when used by colleagues or veterans, it often carries a negative or sarcastic tone, implying privilege, undue hype, or a lack of having 'earned one's stripes.'
A 'prodigy' emphasizes exceptionally early skill development. A 'bonus baby' emphasizes the **financial/contractual reward** given for that perceived potential. All bonus babies are considered prodigies in their field, but not all prodigies receive the formal 'bonus baby' treatment (large monetary bonus/special contract).
The specific historical 'bonus rule' ended in the 1960s. The term is still used colloquially by fans and commentators for any highly drafted player who signs for a well-above-slot bonus, but the official, technical usage is historical.
A highly promising young athlete, typically in baseball, who signs a professional contract with a large bonus, often leading to special treatment and expectations.
Bonus baby is usually informal, journalistic, historical (within sports) in register.
Bonus baby: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbəʊnəs ˌbeɪbi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈboʊnəs ˌbeɪbi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a baby in a baseball uniform being handed a giant cheque as a 'bonus' for being born talented. This 'bonus baby' is pampered but also watched by everyone.
Conceptual Metaphor
TALENT IS A VALUABLE COMMODITY (bought with a bonus). A PROMISING PERSON IS A CHILD (baby) requiring special nurturing and protection.
Practice
Quiz
In which context did the term 'bonus baby' originate?