Prize Meaning
/ˈpɹaɪ̯z/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThat which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.
nounAnything captured by a belligerent using the rights of war; especially, property captured at sea in virtue of the rights of war, as a vessel.
Sentence Examples
You deserve the prize.
It is amazing that you won the prize.
She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
CEFR Practice Quiz
After months of hard work, she won first ____ in the national competition.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She won first ____ in the national essay competition and received a scholarship to study abroad.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[…] wherefore he now begunne
To challenge her anew, as his owne prize,
Whom formerly he had in battell wonne,"
— 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto IV”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, page 54:
"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: […]"
— 1724, Charles Johnson [pseudonym], “Of Captain Avery, and His Crew”, in A General History of the Pyrates, […], 2nd edition, London: Printed for, and sold by T. Warner, […], →OCLC, page 51:
"I fought and conquer’d, yet have lost the prize."
— 1675, John Dryden, Aureng-zebe: A Tragedy. […], London: […] T[homas] N[ewcomb] for Henry Herringman, […], published 1676, →OCLC, Act I, page 5:
"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."
— 1928, Weston Jarvis, Jottings from an Active Life, London: Heath Cranton, page 256:
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Philippians 3:14:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After months of hard work, she won first ____ in the national competition.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She won first ____ in the national essay competition and received a scholarship to study abroad.