Definition

A small extra gift or benefit given to someone, often by a seller to a customer, as a way to show appreciation or goodwill.

Example

When I bought the cake, the baker gave me a lagniappe of cookies as a surprise.

Conversation

Did you get any lagniappe when you bought those pastries?

Yeah, the baker gave me an extra cookie for free!

That's such a nice surprise, I love when that happens.

Me too! It’s always great to get a little something extra.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Lagniappe originates from the Louisiana Creole and Louisiana French term 'lagniappe' (from Spanish 'la ñapa', meaning the gift). It refers to a little extra gift or bonus given to a customer by a seller, especially in markets.

Memory Tip

Think of a little 'gift' ('la ñapa') that you receive as a bonus when you make a purchase — that's what lagniappe means.

Visually Confused Words