prize

/praɪz/

/praɪz/

Other forms: prizes; prized; prizing

A prize is the reward or recognition a winner gets. When you win first prize in your state spelling bee, you might get a medal and a trip to the national competition in Washington, DC.

Many prizes are given for hard work, athletic skill, or superior intellect, but it's also possible to win a prize from sheer good luck. The prize for a winning lottery ticket, for example, might be a million dollars. If your dog comes in first at an obedience competition, you can call her your "prize pup." And if you adore and value that dog more than anything else, you can say you prize her.

Definitions of prize

1. noun

   something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
   “the prize was a free trip to Europe”

   synonyms: award

   types:

   scholarship

   financial aid provided to a student on the basis of academic merit

   fellowship

   money granted (by a university or foundation or other agency) for advanced study or research

   gratuity

   an award (as for meritorious service) given without claim or obligation

   door prize

   tickets are passed out at the entrance to a dance or party or other social function and a prize is awarded to the holder of the winning ticket

   jackpot

   any outstanding award

   prize money

   any money given as a prize

   premium

   a prize, bonus, or award given as an inducement to purchase products, enter competitions initiated by business interests, etc.

   type of:

   gift

   something acquired without compensation
2. noun

   something given as a token of victory
   synonyms: trophy

   types:

   apple of discord

   (classical mythology) a golden apple thrown into a banquet of the gods by Eris (goddess of discord--who had not been invited); the apple had `for the fairest' written on it and Hera and Athena and Aphrodite all claimed it; when Paris (prince of Troy) awarded it to Aphrodite it began a chain of events that led to the Trojan War

   booby prize

   a prize given to one who finishes last in a contest

   bronze medal

   a trophy made of bronze (or having the appearance of bronze) that is usually awarded for winning third place in a competition

   cup, loving cup

   a large metal vessel with two handles that is awarded as a trophy to the winner of a competition

   gold medal

   a trophy made of gold (or having the appearance of gold) that is usually awarded for winning first place in a competition

   silver, silver medal

   a trophy made of silver (or having the appearance of silver) that is usually awarded for winning second place in a competition

   Davis Cup

   cup awarded for the annual international team tennis competition

   wooden spoon

   a booby prize consisting of a spoon made of wood

   type of:

   accolade, award, honor, honour, laurels

   a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
3. noun

   goods or money obtained illegally
   synonyms: booty, dirty money, loot, pillage, plunder, swag

   type of:

   stolen property

   property that has been stolen
4. adjective

   of superior grade
   “prize carnations”

   synonyms: choice, prime, quality, select

   superior

   of high or superior quality or performance
5. verb

   hold dear
   “I prize these old photographs”

   synonyms: appreciate, treasure, value

   types:

   do justice

   show due and full appreciation

   recognise, recognize

   show approval or appreciation of

   honor, honour, reward

   bestow honor or rewards upon

   rubricate

   place in the church calendar as a red-letter day honoring a saint

   type of:

   consider, reckon, regard, see, view

   deem to be
6. verb

   regard highly; think much of
   “We prize his creativity”

   synonyms: esteem, prise, respect, value

   types:

   think the world of

   esteem very highly

   fear, revere, reverence, venerate

   regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of

   admire, look up to

   feel admiration for

   enshrine, saint

   hold sacred

   worship

   show devotion to (a deity)

   envy

   feel envious towards; admire enviously

   type of:

   consider, reckon, regard, see, view

   deem to be
7. verb

   to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
   synonyms: jimmy, lever, prise, pry

   type of:

   open, open up

   cause to open or to become open