prize
PRYZ
Prize (noun) means an award given to the winner of a competition, contest, or lottery. Example: “She won first prize in the baking contest.”
noun
1
An award given to the winner of a competition, contest, or lottery.
"She won first prize in the baking contest."
"The lottery's top prize was ten million dollars."
"The school gave a book as a prize for good attendance."
2
Anything highly valued or worth striving for.
"The championship trophy is the ultimate prize for any athlete."
"For the young chef, a place in the final was the real prize."
"Freedom was the prize they had worked for all their lives."
verb
1
To value something very highly.
"She prized her grandmother's ring above all her other jewelry."
"Collectors prize these old maps for their detail and beauty."
"We prize honesty above everything else in our team."
adj
1
Having won an award; outstanding of its kind.
"He raises prize pigs for the county fair."
"Her prize roses were the pride of the village show."
"The farmer's prize bull was admired by everyone at the fair."
How to use prize
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething won for coming first, or something you value very highly.
Common mistake
As a verb, "prize" means to value highly, not to physically pry something open — that older sense survives mainly in the related word "prise" or "pry."
Common pairings
win a prize
prize money
first prize
prized possession
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Word forms
- Plural
- prizes
- Third person singular
- prizes
- Past tense
- prized
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She won first _____ in the baking contest.
Etymology
From Old French prise, "a taking or seizing," from prendre, "to take" — the same root gives us "surprise" and "comprise."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for prize
See all rhymes for prize →Frequently asked questions
What does “prize” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “prize”?
“Prize” is pronounced PRYZ (/ˈpɹaɪ̯z/ in IPA).
How do you use “prize” in a sentence?
Here is “prize” used in a sentence: “She won first prize in the baking contest.”
What part of speech is “prize”?
Depending on how it is used, “prize” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “prize” come from?
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.".
Is “prize” a common word?
“Prize” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “prize” have?
“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.
What is the difference between prize and price?
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.
What is the difference between a prize and a reward?
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.
What are the types of prizes?
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.
What is an example of a prize?
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.
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