award
gb/əwˈɔɹd/ us/əwˈɔɹd/
A2
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
A prize given for achievement
Something given to someone because they did something very good.
Usage pattern:
receive/win [an award]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'award' (a thing you receive) with 'reward' (something given in return for effort, sometimes as payment).
Synonyms
prize (Often used more broadly, including in competitions and games.)
|
honor (More formal; emphasizes respect and recognition rather than a physical object.)
Antonyms
penalty (A negative consequence or punishment, opposite of a reward.)
Collocations
win an award
|receive an award
|prestigious award
|award ceremony
|award winner
Themes
culture
|work
|education
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She won an award for her groundbreaking research.
- The film received several awards at the festival.
- He was given a lifetime achievement award.
- The award recognizes excellence in community service.
- This is the most prestigious award in our industry.
Learner examples
- She got an award for her art.
- He won an award for his book.
- The movie got an award.
- I want to win an award one day.
Verb
B1
action
2
To give someone a prize or honor
To give someone something because they did something very good.
Usage pattern:
award [someone] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'award' instead of 'reward' when talking about everyday praise or thanks, which is not usually correct.
Synonyms
grant (Often used in formal contexts for giving rights, money, or permission.)
|
present (Less formal; can refer to giving gifts or awards in ceremonies.)
Antonyms
revoke (To take back something that was given, such as a title or award.)
Collocations
award a prize
|award a contract
|award a medal
|award damages
Themes
culture
|work
|education
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The committee awarded her the gold medal.
- They awarded the contract to a local company.
- The judge awarded him $5,000 in damages.
- He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.
- Our school awards scholarships to talented students.
Learner examples
- The teacher awarded me a book.
- They awarded her a medal.
- The court awarded him money.
- We will award the winner tomorrow.
Grammar
Dictionary form
award
IPA
GB/əwˈɔɹd/
US/əwˈɔɹd/
Syllables & stress
award (1 syllable)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: award
- Plural: awards
Verb
- Base: award
- 3rd Person Singular: awards
- Present Participle: awarding
- Past: awarded
Word family
Forms
awards
noun
awarding
verb
awarded
verb
Advanced or less common
awardee
noun
Expressions
award ceremony
1/əwˈɔɹd sˈɛɹɪmˌoʊni/
fixed phrase
Formal event to give awards
An event where people get prizes or honors for their work or success.
Examples
- The award ceremony will be held next Friday.
- She gave a moving speech at the award ceremony.
award-winning
1/əwˈɔɹd wˈɪnɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Having received prizes for achievement
Used to describe someone or something that has won a prize.
Examples
- He is an award-winning author.
- The award-winning film attracted huge audiences.