prize

The word “prize” means an award given to the winner of a competition, contest, or lottery. In plain terms, something won for coming first, or something you value very highly.

“Prize” is pronounced PRYZ (/ˈpɹaɪ̯z/ in IPA).

Here is “prize” used in a sentence: “She won first prize in the baking contest.”

Depending on how it is used, “prize” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.

The word “prize” comes from Old French. From Old French prise, "a taking or seizing," from prendre, "to take" — the same root gives us "surprise" and "comprise.".

“Prize” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Prize” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an award given to the winner of a competition, contest, or lottery.

Despite the similar spelling, they are unrelated. A "prize" is an award you win in a competition or lottery. A "price" is the amount of money something costs. The single letter changes everything — you win a prize, but you pay a price. They are among the most commonly confused look-alike words.

A prize is won through competition, luck, or achievement — you beat others or triumph in a contest to earn it. A reward is given in return for effort, good behaviour, or service, and no contest is needed. You win a prize; you receive a reward for doing something.

Prizes come in many forms: cash winnings, trophies and medals, certificates, gift vouchers, and goods such as cars or holidays. Some, like the Nobel Prize, carry huge prestige as well as money. Others are small tokens in a raffle. What unites them is that each marks winning or being chosen.

A gold medal at the Olympics, the jackpot in a lottery, a trophy for winning a tournament, or the Nobel Prize for outstanding work are all prizes. Even a small toy handed out at a fairground game counts. Each is an award given to a winner.