Cool MateAward vs Prize
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Award
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Prize
Top 2,000 (common)A2noun
Most common: Award
| Award | Prize | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈwɔːd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈwɔːrd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/praɪz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/praɪz/"]/ |
| Meaning | A prize or honor given to someone for their achievements. | An award or something given for winning. |
| Example | She received an award for her outstanding performance in the competition. | She won a prize for her excellent performance in the competition. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | annual, national, coveted, announce, bestow, give somebody, go to somebody, awards banquet, awards ceremony, awards dinner, award for, award from, compensatory, discretionary, pay, get, receive, grant, compensatory, discretionary, pay, get, receive, grant | big, great, prestigious, award (somebody), give (somebody), offer, go to somebody/something, be worth something, total something, winner, money, competition, prize for, prize in, big, great, prestigious, award (somebody), give (somebody), offer, go to somebody/something, be worth something, total something, winner, money, competition, prize for, prize in |
| Antonyms | penalty, punishment | forfeit, penalty |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'award' with 'reward' - an award is usually formal and public, while a reward can be personal and informal., Using 'awards' without specifying what kind, confusing listeners., Saying 'give award' instead of 'give an award' or 'award' directly. | Confusing 'prize' with 'price' (the cost of something)., Using 'prizes' as a verb instead of a noun., Forgetting to specify what kind of prize (e.g., cash, trophy). |
| Usage notes | Use 'award' in formal contexts when discussing honors in competitions, ceremonies, or achievements. Avoid using it in casual conversation unless referring to a specific event. | Use 'prize' in contexts related to competitions or achievements. It's appropriate in both casual and formal settings, such as schools, contests, or ceremonies. Avoid using it in non-competitive contexts where no reward is given. |
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Frequently asked questions: Award vs Prize
What's the difference between Award and Prize?
Award: A prize or honor given to someone for their achievements. Prize: An award or something given for winning.
Which is more common: Award and Prize?
Award is the most common in everyday English.
Are Award and Prize the same CEFR level?
Award: A2, Prize: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Award and Prize?
Award: noun, Prize: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Award: She received an award for her outstanding performance in the competition. Prize: She won a prize for her excellent performance in the competition.
Can I use Award and Prize interchangeably?
Not always. Award and Prize are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.