noun
Common
Nobel
noh-BEHL
Nobel (noun) means Short for the Nobel Prize, one of the annual international awards for outstanding work in fields such as physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace. Example: “She won a Nobel for her research into gene editing.”
noun
1
Short for the Nobel Prize, one of the annual international awards for outstanding work in fields such as physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace.
"She won a Nobel for her research into gene editing."
"The committee announced this year's Nobel in literature."
How to use Nobel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn informal short way of saying "Nobel Prize."
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "noble" (having fine moral qualities, or of aristocratic rank) — same sound, unrelated spelling and meaning.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
win a Nobel
Nobel laureate
Nobel committee
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Word forms
- Plural
- Nobels
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She won a _____ for her research into gene editing.
Etymology
Named after Alfred Nobel, the Swedish chemist and inventor of dynamite, who endowed the prizes in his 1895 will.
Class of 1895
Nobel joined the language around 1895.
See the full Class of 1895 →
Rhymes for Nobel
See all rhymes for Nobel →Frequently asked questions
What does “Nobel” mean?
The word “Nobel” means short for the Nobel Prize, one of the annual international awards for outstanding work in fields such as physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace. In plain terms, an informal short way of saying "Nobel Prize.".
How do you pronounce “Nobel”?
“Nobel” is pronounced noh-BEHL (/nəʊˈbɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “Nobel” in a sentence?
Here is “Nobel” used in a sentence: “She won a Nobel for her research into gene editing.”
What part of speech is “Nobel”?
“Nobel” is a noun.
Where does the word “Nobel” come from?
The word “Nobel” dates back to around 1895 and comes from Swedish. Named after Alfred Nobel, the Swedish chemist and inventor of dynamite, who endowed the prizes in his 1895 will.
Is “Nobel” a common word?
“Nobel” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a Nobel Prize and other international awards?
The Nobel Prize is specifically one of the annual awards given for outstanding achievement in set fields such as physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace, whereas many other awards cover broader or different categories. It is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in its recognized fields.
In which fields is a Nobel awarded?
Nobel Prizes are given annually for outstanding work in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace. Each field has its own prize awarded to a person or people judged to have made the most significant contribution that year.
Is Nobel capitalized when referring to the prize?
Yes, Nobel is capitalized because it comes from a proper name, and it is typically used as short for 'the Nobel Prize.' It is standard to capitalize it in writing, whether used alone or as part of the full title.
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