bounty
C1Formal, literary, legal, historical
Definition
Meaning
A generous reward or payment given, especially for capturing or killing someone or for providing information.
Generosity in giving; abundance or plentifulness of something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word has two primary senses: 1) a monetary reward offered officially (legal/historical context), 2) generous giving or plentifulness (more abstract/literary). The 'reward' sense is more concrete and specific; the 'abundance' sense is more figurative.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the word in the same contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, the 'reward' sense carries connotations of officiality, history (e.g., pirate bounties), or law enforcement. The 'abundance' sense is more literary and positive.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the historical and cultural prominence of the 'bounty hunter' concept in Western folklore and modern legal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
bounty on [someone/something]bounty for [doing something]bounty of [something abundant]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bounty on someone's head”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in 'bounty program' for bug detection in tech.
Academic
Used in historical, legal, or literary studies (e.g., 'the bounty of nature in Romantic poetry').
Everyday
Limited. Most common in discussions about history, crime shows, or literary descriptions of nature.
Technical
In law enforcement: 'bounty hunting'. In software: 'bug bounty program'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The bounty harvest was celebrated.
- She is known for her bounty nature.
American English
- The bounty crop ensured profits.
- His bounty contributions helped the charity.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The farmer had a bounty of apples.
- The king offered a bounty for the capture of the thief.
- We enjoyed the bounty of the summer garden.
- A substantial bounty was placed on the fugitive's head by the authorities.
- The region's natural bounty attracted many settlers.
- The software company's bug bounty programme has been highly effective in identifying security flaws.
- Her philanthropy was not mere charity but a genuine bounty of spirit.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BOUNTY hunter collecting a BOUNTY (reward) for a BOUNTIFUL (plentiful) catch.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTICE/LAW ENFORCEMENT IS A HUNT (bounty on his head); NATURE/GOODNESS IS A GIVER (bounty of the harvest).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'премия' (bonus) for work performance. 'Bounty' is for a specific task like capture. The 'abundance' sense is closer to 'изобилие' or 'щедрость'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'bounty' to mean a regular salary bonus. Using it as a verb (to bounty). Confusing 'bounty hunter' with a detective or police officer.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'bounty' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is relatively low-frequency and is mostly found in specific contexts like history, law, literature, or certain technical fields (e.g., bug bounties in tech).
No, 'bounty' is solely a noun. The related verb is 'to endow' or 'to bestow', but not 'to bounty'.
A 'bounty' is typically an official reward offered by a government or authority for a specific act like a capture or kill. A 'reward' is more general and can be offered by anyone for anything lost and found or for a good deed.
A bounty hunter is a person who captures fugitives or criminals for a monetary reward (the bounty) offered by a bail bondsman or authority.