What does "prize" mean?
That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.
Prize
/pɹaɪz/ adj, noun, verb
adj, noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.
- Grammar: prize is listed as adj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: award, trophy, academy award, accolade.
- Useful contrasts: baubles, close, devalue.
- Usage evidence: It is amazing that you won the prize.
How to use "prize"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "prize" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "prize" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "prize" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "prize" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "prize" is acting as adj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "award" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "prize", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.
"[…] wherefore he now begunne To challenge her anew, as his owne prize, Whom formerly he had in battell wonne,"
- 2 Obsolete form of price. alt-of, obsolete
"My prizes – for a head is thirty five Guineas – As far as the Knees seventy – and for a whole-length one hundred and fifty."
- 3 something given as a token of victory wordnet
- 4 Anything captured by a belligerent using the rights of war; especially, property captured at sea in virtue of the rights of war, as a vessel.
"Having taken all the Treasure on Board their own Ships, and plundered their Prize of every Thing elſe they either wanted or liked, they let her go; ſhe not being able to continue her Voyage, returned back: […]"
- 5 goods or money obtained illegally wordnet
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 An honour or reward striven for in a competitive contest; anything offered to be competed for, or as an inducement to, or reward of, effort.
"I fought and conquer’d, yet have lost the prize."
- 7 something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery wordnet
- 8 That which may be won by chance, as in a lottery.
"Cecil Rhodes […] was never tired of impressing upon one that the fact of being an Englishman was “the greatest prize in the lottery of life,” and that it was that thought which always sustained him when he was troubled."
- 9 Anything worth striving for; a valuable possession held or in prospect.
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
- 10 A contest for a reward; competition. obsolete
"Like one of two contending in a prize, That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes […]"
- 11 A lever; a pry; also, the hold of a lever.
Verb
- 1 To consider highly valuable; to esteem.
"[…] I Beyond all limit of what else i’ the world Do love, prize, honour you."
- 2 regard highly; think much of wordnet
- 3 To set or estimate the value of; to appraise; to price; to rate. obsolete
"[…] no life, I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,"
- 4 to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open wordnet
- 5 To move with a lever; to force up or open; to prise or pry.
"‘Find some other black boxes to prize open.’"
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 hold dear wordnet
- 7 To compete in a prizefight. obsolete
Adjective
- 1 Having won a prize; award-winning. not-comparable
"a prize vegetable"
- 2 First-rate; exceptional. not-comparable
"He was a prize fool."
Adjective
- 1 of superior grade wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"It is amazing that you won the prize."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "prize"?
Common synonyms include: award, trophy, academy award, accolade, accord respect to, admire.
How do you use "prize" in a sentence?
It is amazing that you won the prize.
How do you pronounce "prize"?
Pronounced /pɹaɪz/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English prise, from Old French prise (“a taking, capture, a seizure, a thing seized, a prize, booty, also hold, purchase”), past participle of prendre (“to take, to capture”), from Latin prēndere (“to take, seize”); see prehend. Compare prison, apprise, comprise, enterprise, purprise, reprisal, surprise, etc. Doublet of prise.
Etymology 2
From Middle English prysen, borrowed from Old French preisier (“to set a price or value on, esteem, value”), from pris (“price”), from Latin pretium (“price, value”), whence price; see also praise, a doublet. Compare appraise, apprize.
Etymology 3
Alternative forms.