Word
apiece
US/əˈpis/
UK/ɐpˈiːs/
Adverb of degree
Definition
adv. for each person or thing in a group. You use this after a number to show the price or amount for every single item.
adv. to or for each individual person or item in a set. Typically follows the numeral or noun phrase it modifies.
Examples
“The tickets cost twenty dollars apiece.”
“The two companies were fined five million dollars apiece for their roles in the price-fixing scandal.”
“The antique chairs were sold for three hundred pounds apiece, a price that reflected their excellent condition and historical significance.”
Examples
simple
“The tickets cost twenty dollars apiece.”
contextual
“The two companies were fined five million dollars apiece for their roles in the price-fixing scandal.”
complex
“The antique chairs were sold for three hundred pounds apiece, a price that reflected their excellent condition and historical significance.”
Usage
Always follows the noun or number it refers to; it cannot be used at the start of a sentence.
Pitfall
They cost apiece ten dollars
They cost ten dollars apiece
Apiece must follow the quantity or price it modifies, rather than preceding it.
Real-World Examples
“England seamers Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue came up with a solution after they snared five apiece on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan.” “Ipswich won six points from the leading seven sides in 2024-25, though Leicester and Southampton took one apiece.” “His online tutorials, which he first posted in 2021, now receive as many as 13 million likes apiece.” Etymology
From Middle English a pece. By surface analysis, univerbation of a + piece.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/apiece