# prize

/ˈpɹaɪz/ (US) · /pɹˈaɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prize
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. an award

noun · CEFR A2

something valuable given to the winner of a race, game, or competition.

For teachers: a reward or honour bestowed upon the winner of a contest or competition.

- She won first prize in the school science fair for her robot project.
- The prestigious literary prize includes a significant cash award and a guaranteed publishing contract for the author's next three novels.

### 2. something valuable

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. captured ship or property

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Archaic

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. to value highly

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. to force open

verb · CEFR C1 · American English

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Often used with 'open' or 'off'.

### 6. excellent or winning

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She won first prize in the photography contest.
- The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in the world.
- While the monetary prize is significant, most recipients value the professional recognition and the doors it opens within their respective fields far more than the cash.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.