Word
reward
Phoneticsre·ward, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈwɔɹd/
UK/ɹɪwˈɔːd/
Definitions
01benefit for effort
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. something of value you get because you did something good or worked hard.
n. a benefit, such as money or recognition, bestowed in return for merit, service, or achievement.
日本語:ご褒美※
“The company gave her a small bonus as a reward for her hard work.”
“The sense of personal satisfaction was a far greater reward for the volunteers than any formal certificate of appreciation could have been.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02money for finding something
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. money offered to anyone who helps find a lost person or item.
n. a sum of money offered by an authority or individual for help in a specific matter, such as capturing a criminal or recovering lost property.
日本語:謝礼※
“There is a five-hundred-dollar reward for the return of the missing cat.”
“The police department offered a substantial reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects involved in the robbery.”
03to give a prize
B1 · Intermediate
v. to give someone something good because they have done something helpful or successful.
v. to bestow a recompense or prize upon someone in recognition of their actions or qualities.
日本語:報いる※
“The school rewarded the students with a trip to the zoo for their good behaviour.”
“The board of directors voted to reward the CEO with a significant stock option package following the company's record-breaking quarterly profits.”
Usage
This is a transitive verb and requires a direct object.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “reward” in context.
Adjective
01. external reward
“Psychologists argue that an external reward, like money, can sometimes decrease a person's natural motivation.”
adj + noun
Noun
02. reward system
“The school introduced a new reward system to encourage students to complete their homework on time.”
noun + noun
Real-World Examples
“He has given a series of explanations for the gift, including that it was for his security and a reward for Brexit.” “Farage has given various explanations as to why Harborne gave him the money, including as a reward for Brexit, and to pay for personal security for the rest of his life.” “Dopamine plays a key role in the reward system of the brain – but whereas previously neuroscientists thought it was a chemical associated with pleasure, recent research shows that it works by driving “want” – incentivising people to seek the outcomes they find rewarding.” “These exercise apps reward steps with freebies – but which ones are worth the effort?” Etymology
From Middle English reward, rewarde, from Old French reward (“reward”) (compare Old French regard, whence modern French regard, and also English regard through Middle French), from rewarder (“to reward”) (compare Old French reguarder), from re- + warder (“to guard, keep”) (compare Old French guarder); the Anglo-Norman forms are derived from Old Northern French variants of Old French, ultimately of Germanic (Frankish) origin. Compare regard, warden, guard. See more below. Mostly displaced Old English mēd, whence Modern English meed. Displaced Old English lēan and edlēan.
From Middle English rewarden, from Anglo-Norman rewarder (“to reward”), from re- + warder (“to guard, keep”), from Old Northern French [Term?], from Frankish wardōn (“to guard, keep”), from Proto-Germanic wardōną (“to guard, defend”), from Proto-Indo-European *wer- (“to cover, shelter, defend, guard, shut”). Cognate with Old Saxon wardōn (“to guard, provide for, protect”), Old English weardian (“to guard”), Old High German wartēn (“to watch, keep, look after”). More at ward. Piecewise doublet of regard. Displaced Old English lēanian. In this sense, displaced Old English ġieldan, whence Modern English yield.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/reward
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0