buono

Buono is an Italian word with multiple uses. As an adjective, it means good, virtuous, or kind, and is used to describe people, objects, or actions. It derives from Latin bonus and is part of a broader set of related forms in Italian, with masculine singular buono, feminine singular buona, masculine plural buoni, and feminine plural buone. In front of some masculine singular nouns the form shortens to buon, as in un buon amico. The term appears in many common phrases and compound adjectives such as buon cibo (good food) or fare del bene (to do good).

As a noun, buono can mean a voucher, coupon, or certificate. In contemporary Italian usage, it is commonly seen in phrases like buono pasto (meal voucher) provided by employers, or buono regalo (gift certificate).

Buono is also a surname. It is found throughout Italy and among the Italian diaspora, especially in the Americas. The surname likely originated as a nickname or descriptor for a dependable or well-regarded person, and it has spread with migration.

Notable individuals with the surname Buono include people in fields such as entertainment, sports, and academia, reflecting the name’s broad geographic and social distribution.