English Reference

Word

pulitzer

Phoneticspulitzer

/ˈpʊɫətsɝ/

Definition

n. a famous prize for writing, reporting, or music in the United States.

n. a prestigious annual award for achievements in American journalism, letters, and music.

Examples

“She won a Pulitzer for her reporting on the war.”

“The newspaper's investigative team was nominated for a Pulitzer after exposing corruption in the local government.”

“Winning a Pulitzer often transforms a writer's career, providing both a significant financial grant and a permanent mark of distinction within the competitive landscape of American letters.”

Examples

simple

“She won a Pulitzer for her reporting on the war.”

contextual

“The newspaper's investigative team was nominated for a Pulitzer after exposing corruption in the local government.”

complex

“Winning a Pulitzer often transforms a writer's career, providing both a significant financial grant and a permanent mark of distinction within the competitive landscape of American letters.”

Teaching tip

Learners should know this is specifically an American award, though it is famous worldwide.

Real-World Examples

“Her second, Fear City, about the New York economic crisis of the 1970s, was a finalist for the Pulitzer prize .”
The Guardian · 21 Jul 2026

Etymology

See Pulitzer Prize.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synonyms

Pulitzer Prizeawardhonor

This entry

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C1 · Advanced
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English Reference