prize
Pluralprizes
Pluralprizes
- 1Something you get for winning a game, contest or lottery, or for doing something very well.
Like the trophy you get for winning a game.
She won first prize at the science fair.
The bakery offered a prize to the best young chef.
UsageYou win a prize for something. A prize is not a price (how much something costs).
Similarreward
- 2To think something is very special and important to you.
Like keeping a favorite toy safe because it means a lot to you.
I prize the watch my grandfather gave me.
They prize honesty above all other qualities.
UsageSay prize something for a reason. You often hear prized: my prized bike.
Similarvalue, treasure, cherish, esteem, appreciate
Oppositedisdain, despise, scorn
Note
- 3
- 4A ship or goods taken from the enemy during a war.
Like taking the other team's flag in a game and keeping it.
The navy ship captured an enemy boat as a prize.
Sailors shared the money from the prize they had taken.
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Less common meanings
- 5Very good and among the best of its kind.
She was the teacher's prize student, always the first to finish.
He made a prize catch on his first fishing trip.
UsageGoes before a noun: prize student. A prize idiot is a very big idiot.
Similarchoice, prime, first-rate, top, exceptional
Oppositeinferior, second-rate, poor
Note
- 6Used for something that has won an award or contest.
Her prize roses took first place at the garden show three years in a row.
The prize pumpkin still had its blue ribbon from the fair.
UsagePut it before the noun: a prize pumpkin. Or say it won a prize.
Similaraward-winning, champion, winning
- 7Something taken from someone else by force or trickery.
Like a dog running off with a bone it grabbed.
The lion dragged its prize back into the tall grass.
The thieves divided their prize among themselves.
UsageOften its prize or their prize. Said about a person, it treats them like stolen goods.
Similarloot, booty, plunder, catch, spoils
Note
- 8To force something open or up using a bar or tool.
Like using a stick to lift a heavy rock off the ground.
He used a crowbar to prize the lid off the crate.
They tried to prize the door open after the lock jammed.
UsageUse it with open, up or off: prize the lid off. Pry means the same.
Note
- 9A bar used to lift or force things open, or the hold the bar gets.
Like a long stick you push down to lift something heavy.
He slid the prize under the rock to lift it.
He used a long iron prize to lift the heavy stone.
Similarlever
Note
- 10To work out how much something is worth.
Note
- 11A contest held to win a reward.
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- 12To take part in a boxing match fought for money.
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Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origins
From Old French prise, meaning something taken or captured, from a Latin word meaning "to take or seize."
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Prize derives from Old French prise. en.wiktionary.org
- Old French prise referred to taking or capture. en.wiktionary.org
- Prise ultimately derives from a Latin word meaning to take or seize. fr.wiktionary.org
From Old French preisier, meaning "to value or esteem," from a Latin word meaning "price or value."
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- The verb prize derives from Old French preisier. en.wiktionary.org
- Old French preisier meant to value or esteem. en.wiktionary.org
- The Old French word ultimately derives from a Latin word meaning price or value. en.wiktionary.org