prize

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a person or thing that is very valuable or important to someone.

n. a highly valued possession or a person regarded as a valuable acquisition.

“The antique watch was his greatest prize, passed down through three generations.”

“The rare manuscript was considered the ultimate prize by collectors of medieval history, sparking a fierce bidding war at the auction.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Law Technical · Archaic

n. a ship or property captured during a war, especially at sea.

n. property, especially a vessel, captured at sea by a belligerent power under the laws of maritime warfare.

“The navy brought the captured enemy ship back to the harbour as a prize.”

“Under the historical prize laws, the crew of the capturing vessel were entitled to a share of the value of any merchant ship seized during the conflict.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to think that someone or something is very important or valuable.

v. to value or esteem something extremely highly; to regard with great affection or respect.

“The local people prize their independence and work hard to protect it.”

“In many traditional cultures, elders are deeply prized for their wisdom and their role in maintaining the community's oral history.”

C1 · Advanced American English

v. to use force or a tool to pull something open or away from something else.

v. to move, raise, or open something by means of leverage. Often spelled 'prise' in British English.

“He used a screwdriver to prize the lid off the paint can.”

“The investigators had to prize the locked cabinet open to retrieve the documents that had been hidden for decades.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. describing something that has won an award or is of the best quality.

adj. having won a prize; of a quality that would merit an award or is considered first-rate.

“The farmer showed off his prize bull at the county fair.”

“The chef only uses prize ingredients from local organic farms to ensure the highest standards for his signature dishes.”