prize
gb/pɹˈaɪz/ us/pɹˈaɪz/
A2
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Something given to a winner
Something you get when you win a game or do something very well.
Usage pattern:
win [a/the] prize
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'price' (cost of something) with 'prize' (reward).
Synonyms
award (Often used in formal contexts or for recognition in arts, science, etc., not only competitions.)
Antonyms
penalty (A punishment for doing something wrong, opposite of a reward.)
Collocations
win a prize
|first prize
|cash prize
|grand prize
|prize money
Themes
competition
|rewards
|daily life
|arts_entertainment
|sports
|education
Examples
- She won a cash prize in the singing contest.
- The first prize was a trip to Paris.
- He proudly held up the prize he had received.
Learner examples
- I won a prize at school.
- The prize is a new bike.
- She got a big prize for her picture.
Verb
B2
action
2
To value something greatly
To think something is very special or important.
Usage pattern:
prize [something] highly/above all
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this with 'price', thinking it means to set a cost.
Synonyms
treasure (Carries a warmer, more emotional tone than 'prize'.)
Antonyms
disregard (To pay little or no attention to the value of something.)
Collocations
prize honesty
|prize friendship
|highly prized
Themes
values
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She prizes honesty above all else.
- He prized their friendship more than money.
- This vase is highly prized by collectors.
Learner examples
- I prize my family.
- She prizes her old books.
- He prizes his friends.
adjective
B1
property
3
Of great value or importance
Very special or important, often because it was won or is rare.
Synonyms
valuable (A more general term for something worth a lot of money or importance.)
Antonyms
worthless (Having no value or importance.)
Collocations
prize possession
|prize catch
Themes
values
|rewards
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The diamond ring was her prize possession.
- That fish was the prize catch of the day.
- His prize horse won the race.
Learner examples
- This watch is my prize possession.
- The big fish was the prize catch.
- Her car is her prize thing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prize
IPA
GB/pɹˈaɪz/
US/pɹˈaɪz/
Syllables & stress
prize (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (prize)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: prize
Noun
- Base: prize
- Plural: prizes
Verb
- Base: prize
- 3rd Person Singular: prizes
- Present Participle: prizing
- Past: prized
Word family
Forms
prizes
noun
prizing
verb
prized
verb
Related words
prizewinner
noun
prizewinning
adjective
Expressions
prize possession
1/pɹˈaɪz pəzˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
Most valued belonging
The thing you own that you like and value the most.
Examples
- His guitar is his prize possession.
- This book is her prize possession from childhood.
prized catch
1/pɹˈaɪzd kˈæt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
Valuable thing caught or found
An animal or object you have caught or found that is very special or valuable.
Examples
- The tuna was the prized catch of the trip.
- That rare butterfly was his prized catch.
win the prize
1/wˈɪn ðə pɹˈaɪz/
fixed phrase
Receive the reward for winning
To get the reward for being the best in a competition.
Examples
- She trained hard and finally won the prize.
- If you answer all questions correctly, you will win the prize.