noun

lagniappe

LAN-yap/lˈæŋˌɑp/

A small gift given as an extra.

The baker adds a free cookie to my order as lagniappe.

At a bakery counter, a customer pays for a full box of pastries while the baker adds a separate small cookie as an extra gift.

Etymology

The word is known from New Orleans Creole, but its deeper origin is uncertain. It named a shopkeeper’s little extra gift intended to encourage customers to return.

More examples

Our hotel leaves a small box of chocolates as a lagniappe.
The handmade bookmark tucked beside my new book is a welcome lagniappe.
The shop's little lagniappes keep customers coming back.

Forms

lagniappe · lagniappes

Similar words

bonus: Bonus can include extra money or rewards, not just gifts.
freebie: Freebie means any free item, even without a purchase.