prize

1.nounA2

Definition

Money, a trophy, or some other item of worth that is awarded to the winner of a contest or to somebody who has done outstanding work.

Example

Anjali won first prize in the school science fair for her solar-powered charger.

win first prize — collocation

The prize for the best short story this year is a publishing contract with a major house.

prize for + [activity/achievement] — grammar pattern

Common collocations

win a prize
first prize / second prize / third prize
cash prize
prize money
prize for + noun
consolation prize
booby prize
top prize / grand prize
prize winner

Synonyms

award
More formal; can be given for achievement outside competitions, e.g. for service or bravery
reward
Given in return for effort, good behaviour, or a specific action, not necessarily in a competition
trophy
A physical object such as a cup or plaque that serves as a prize
jackpot
The largest prize in a game of chance or lottery, often a sum of money

Common Mistakes

The price of the competition was a gold medal.

The prize for winning the competition was a gold medal.

'prize' is what you win; 'price' is what you pay to buy something.

She won the first price in the race.

She won first prize in the race.

'prize' and 'price' sound similar but have very different meanings.

2.nounB2

Definition

Something extremely desirable and valuable that can only be gained or reached through great effort, patience, or sacrifice.

Example

A seat in the national orchestra was a prize the young pianist had dreamed of for years.

prize as a metaphor for a hard-won goal

A place on the Olympic team is a prize that only the most dedicated athletes ever achieve.

Common collocations

elusive prize
ultimate prize
greatest prize
coveted prize

Synonyms

dream
Focuses on the emotional desire; less emphasis on the difficulty of reaching it
goal
Neutral and practical; does not carry the same sense of exceptional value
trophy
When used metaphorically, suggests something symbolically won through competitive effort

Usage Note

Often used in literary, formal, or metaphorical contexts to describe something desirable that is reached through difficulty. Common in phrases about careers, peace, freedom, and personal goals.

1.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

To consider someone or something to be extremely valuable or important, and to treat them with special care and affection, often because of a long personal connection.

Example

Grandma prized the old wooden jewellery box her mother had given her on her wedding day.

active: prize + object for sentimental reasons

Stephanie's handmade birthday card was prized by her father more than any store-bought gift.

passive: be prized by [someone]

Common collocations

be prized by
be prized among
be highly prized
prize above all
prize for its + quality

Synonyms

cherish
Warmer and more emotional; often used for relationships and memories
treasure
Similar intensity but more common in everyday use; works for both objects and relationships
value
Broader and less emotionally intense; can be used for practical as well as sentimental worth
esteem
More formal; usually applies to people, reputation, or qualities rather than objects

Antonyms

despise
Strong negative opposite — to regard with disgust or hatred
neglect
To fail to care for something, the opposite of treasuring it

Usage Note

Frequently used in the passive (be prized by / be prized among). The subject of an active sentence is typically a person, family, community, or institution that has a deep emotional, cultural, or historical attachment to the object. Not used for temporary or casual appreciation.

Common Mistakes

I prized my teacher for helping me.

I valued my teacher for helping me.

'prize' as a verb means to cherish deeply; it sounds unnatural for everyday appreciation or gratitude.

She prized the new phone she bought yesterday.

She prized the antique watch her grandmother gave her.

'prize' suits objects with long-term sentimental worth, not new purchases.

2.verbtransitiveC1

Definition

To move, raise, or separate a physical object by pushing a rigid tool such as a screwdriver into a gap and applying leverage.

Example

Yan prized the rusty lid off the paint tin using a flat-headed screwdriver.

prize + object + off — separating two parts

The repairman prized the wooden window frame open with a crowbar and climbed inside.

Common collocations

prize open
prize off
prize apart
prize loose
prize + object + open/off/apart/up

Synonyms

pry
More common in American English; exactly the same meaning
lever
More formal; emphasises using leverage rather than simple force
force open
Less specific about the tool used; a general description

Usage Note

The object of the verb is always a physical object that must be forced apart or lifted. Requires an adverb or prepositional phrase (off, open, apart, loose) to complete the meaning. In British English, the spelling 'prise' is also very common.

Common Mistakes

He prized the door.

He prized the door open with a crowbar.

This sense always needs an adverb or preposition like 'open', 'off', or 'apart' to complete the meaning.

She prized the box to open it.

She prized the lid off the box with a knife.

The tool or point of force should be stated clearly.

1.adjectiveB1

Definition

(Of an animal, plant, or food product) Of a quality high enough to have won a competition or to be highly likely to win one, typically at a county fair, show, or exhibition.

Example

The county fair awarded a blue ribbon to Tuan's prize-winning pig.

prize-winning + [animal] — compound adjective

Paloma entered her prize roses in the garden competition and won first place.

Common collocations

prize bull / prize pig / prize sheep
prize roses / prize orchids
prize-winning animal / prize-winning flower
prize pumpkin / prize tomato

Synonyms

award-winning
More general; can be used for any noun, not limited to animals and plants
champion
Used before nouns, especially for animals; suggests having won a title
show-quality
Specifically about the standard required for entering competitions

Usage Note

Almost always used directly before a noun (attributive position). Most commonly appears with farm animals (prize pig, prize bull, prize sheep), garden plants (prize roses, prize orchids), and food products (prize pumpkin, prize tomatoes). The compound 'prize-winning' can be used as an adjective before any noun.

2.adjectiveB2

Definition

Used before a noun to describe a person or thing that is a particularly striking example of a certain quality or type, often but not always a negative one.

Example

That waiter gave a prize example of bad service — he ignored us for twenty minutes.

prize example of [something] — collocation, often negative

Hugo's brother is a prize idiot who parked his car across two spaces at the supermarket.

prize + [insult noun] — informal fixed pattern

Common collocations

prize example of
prize idiot / prize fool
prize specimen of
prize piece of

Synonyms

classic
Emphasises that the example is typical; can be positive or negative
prime
Similar meaning to 'prize' in this sense; 'a prime example' is very common
perfect
Stronger and more absolute; does not carry the same informal or sarcastic tone

Usage Note

The negative use (prize idiot, prize fool, prize example of bad…) is informal and often humorous or sarcastic. The neutral or positive use (prize specimen, prize example of modern design) is less common but acceptable. Always appears before a noun.

Word family

prizewinner
nounB2
prize-winning
adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to something given in recognition of achievement, but they differ in scope and context. An 'award' is the broadest term: it can be a prize for winning a competition, a certificate for long service, or an honour for bravery — it does not require a contest. A 'reward' is given in exchange for effort, good behaviour, or a specific action: a parent might give a child a reward for cleaning their room, or a company might offer a reward for finding a lost item. A 'trophy' is a physical object, usually a cup or a statue, that commemorates a specific victory or championship; it is rarely metaphorical or abstract. A 'medal' is a flat piece of metal, often hung from a ribbon, awarded for ranking in a competition (gold, silver, bronze) or for military service. For example: 'Anjali won the science award at her school' (general recognition); 'The police offered a reward for information' (exchange for action); 'The winning team lifted the trophy above their heads' (physical object); 'The runner received a gold medal for coming first' (specific rank token).

award ↗reward ↗trophy ↗medal ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

prize money
prize winner
prize fund
prize ceremony
prize day
prize list

Adverbs

highly prized
greatly prized
widely prized

Phrases

first prize
second prize
third prize
grand prize
top prize
booby prize
consolation prize
prize of honour

Prepositions

prize for
prize in
prize among

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'prize' entered English from Old French 'pris', meaning 'price, value, or reward'. Old French took it from Latin 'pretium', which meant 'price, value, or worth'. In medieval times, 'prize' was used for anything captured in war (booty), which then shifted toward the idea of a reward given to the winner of a competition in the 16th century. The verb meaning 'to value highly' developed from the same root, while the verb meaning 'to pry open' came from a different source — Old French 'prise', meaning 'a hold or grasp' — and only later merged into the same spelling.

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prize

prize — noun

1. Money, a trophy, or some other item of worth that is awarded to the winner of a

Common Mistakes

2. Something extremely desirable and valuable that can only be gained or reached th

Usage Note

prize — verb

1. To consider someone or something to be extremely valuable or important, and to t

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. To move, raise, or separate a physical object by pushing a rigid tool such as a

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

prize — adjective

1. (Of an animal, plant, or food product) Of a quality high enough to have won a co

Usage Note

2. Used before a noun to describe a person or thing that is a particularly striking

Usage Note

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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