Prize vs. Award — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 29, 2024
A prize is typically a reward given for winning a competition or for a significant achievement in a contest, whereas an award is a recognition or honor for excellence in a certain field or activity.
Difference Between Prize and Award
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Prizes are often associated with competitions, contests, or lotteries, where participants strive against one another with the aim of emerging as the victor to claim a reward. This reward can be in the form of money, goods, or an honorary title. Prizes are tangible or monetary in nature and are given based on performance, luck, or achievement within a competitive framework. For example, the first-place prize in a marathon is usually given to the fastest runner. Awards, on the other hand, serve as a form of recognition for excellence, achievement, or outstanding service in a particular field or activity, and may not necessarily involve competition between participants. Awards can be symbolic, such as trophies, titles, certificates, or medals, and they often carry significant prestige. Awards are given to honor someone's high level of achievement, dedication, or contribution to a specific area, such as the Nobel Prizes awarded for contributions to humanity in fields like peace, literature, and science.
While prizes are generally given as a result of winning a competition, awards can be received by individuals or groups for their merits, regardless of a competitive setting. Awards recognize accomplishments or qualities that stand out in a particular domain, highlighting excellence and serving as a form of encouragement for future endeavors.
The process of selection also differs between prizes and awards. Prize recipients are usually determined by their performance in a competition, judged against clear criteria or a set of rules. In contrast, award recipients are often chosen based on their contributions, impact, or excellence in a field, evaluated by a committee or a group of peers who consider various aspects of the nominees' achievements.
Another distinction lies in the intent behind these recognitions. Prizes often aim to motivate participation in a contest or competition, encouraging excellence through competition. Awards, however, are more focused on acknowledging and honoring the achievements and contributions of individuals or groups, thereby inspiring others to strive for excellence in their respective fields or endeavors.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A reward given for winning a competition or contest
Recognition or honor for excellence or achievement in a field
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Nature
Often tangible or monetary
Usually symbolic (trophies, titles, certificates)
Context
Competitions, contests, lotteries
Various fields (academics, arts, sciences, public service)
Criteria for Winning
Performance, luck, or achievement within a competitive framework
Excellence, contribution, or impact in a specific area
Purpose
To motivate participation and excellence through competition
To acknowledge and honor achievements and contributions
Selection Process
Based on performance against set criteria or rules
Evaluated by peers or committees considering overall achievements
Compare with Definitions
Prize
Can be won through luck or skill.
He won a prize in the raffle draw.
Award
An honor recognizing excellence or merit in a specific field.
He received an award for his humanitarian efforts.
Prize
Awarded based on competition outcome.
The grand prize at the film festival went to the best documentary.
Award
Symbolic, carrying prestige and honor.
The Nobel Peace Prize is a prestigious award given to those who have made significant contributions to peace.
Prize
Often monetary or tangible in nature.
The lottery prize included a new car.
Award
Evaluated based on contribution and impact.
The awards for environmental conservation celebrated individuals and organizations making a difference.
Prize
Encourages competition and participation.
The science fair prizes motivated students to submit innovative projects.
Award
Inspires excellence and acknowledges contributions.
Annual teaching awards recognize outstanding educators for their dedication.
Prize
A reward given for victory or superiority in a contest.
She won a prize for first place in the art competition.
Award
Recognizes achievements without a competitive framework.
She was given a lifetime achievement award for her contributions to literature.
Prize
A prize is an award to be given to a person, a group of people like a sports team, or organization to recognize and reward actions or achievements. Official prizes often involve monetary rewards as well as the fame that comes with them.
Award
An award, sometimes called a distinction, is something given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration.
Prize
Something offered or won as an award for superiority or victory, as in a contest or competition.
Award
To grant as merited or due
Awarded prizes to the winners.
Prize
Something offered or won in a lottery or similar game of chance.
Award
To grant an amount or other benefit legally due
Awarded damages to the plaintiff.
Prize
Something worth striving for; a highly desirable possession.
Award
Something awarded or granted, as for merit.
Prize
Something seized by force or taken as booty, especially an enemy ship and its cargo captured at sea during wartime.
Award
An amount or other benefit granted as legally due.
Prize
Chiefly Southern US Something used as a lever or for prying.
Award
(legal) A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.
Prize
Offered or given as a prize
A prize cup.
Award
(legal) The paper containing the decision of arbitrators; that which is warded.
Prize
Given a prize, or likely to win a prize
A prize cow.
Award
A trophy or medal; something that denotes an accomplishment, especially in a competition. A prize or honor based on merit.
Prize
Worthy of a prize; first-class
Our prize azaleas.
Award
A negotiated minimum wage that is set for a particular trade or industry; an industrial award.
Prize
To value highly; esteem or treasure.
Award
(intransitive) To determine; to make or grant an award.
Prize
To estimate the worth of; evaluate.
Award
(transitive) To give (an award).
Four or five of these medals are awarded every year.
Prize
To move or force with a lever; pry
Prized open the antique chest.
Award
(transitive) To give (a person) an award.
He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Prize
That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.
Award
To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign or apportion, after careful regard to the nature of the case.
The arbitrators awarded damages to the complainant
Prize
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.
Award
To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign or apportion, after careful regard to the nature of the case; to adjudge; as, the arbitrators awarded damages to the complainant.
To reviewThe wrongful sentence, and award a new.
Prize
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.
Award
To determine; to make an award.
Prize
That which may be won by chance, as in a lottery.
Award
A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.
An award had been given against.
Prize
Anything worth striving for; a valuable possession held or in prospect.
Award
The paper containing the decision of arbitrators; that which is warded.
Prize
(obsolete) A contest for a reward; competition.
Award
A grant made by a law court;
He criticized the awarding of compensation by the court
Prize
A lever; a pry; also, the hold of a lever.
Award
A tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction;
An award for bravery
Prize
Obsolete form of price
Award
Something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery;
The prize was a free trip to Europe
Prize
To consider highly valuable; to esteem.
Award
Give, especially as a reward;
Bestow honors and prizes at graduation
Prize
(obsolete) To set or estimate the value of; to appraise; to price; to rate.
Award
Give on the basis of merit;
Funds are granted to qualified researchers
Prize
To move with a lever; to force up or open; to prise or pry.
Award
Bestow an honor upon
Prize
(obsolete) To compete in a prizefight.
Prize
Having won a prize; award-winning.
A prize vegetable
Prize
; exceptional.
He was a prize fool.
Prize
That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.
I will depart my pris, or my prey, by deliberation.
His own prize,Whom formerly he had in battle won.
Prize
Anything captured by a belligerent using the rights of war; esp., property captured at sea in virtue of the rights of war, as a vessel.
I'll never wrestle for prize more.
I fought and conquered, yet have lost the prize.
Prize
That which may be won by chance, as in a lottery.
Prize
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.
Prize
A contest for a reward; competition.
Prize
A lever; a pry; also, the hold of a lever.
Prize
Estimation; valuation.
Prize
To move with a lever; to force up or open; to pry.
Prize
To set or estimate the value of; to appraise; to price; to rate.
A goodly price that I was prized at.
I prize it [life] not a straw, but for mine honor.
Prize
To value highly; to estimate to be of great worth; to esteem.
I prized your person, but your crown disdain.
Prize
Something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery;
The prize was a free trip to Europe
Prize
Goods or money obtained illegally
Prize
Something given as a token of victory
Prize
Hold dear;
I prize these old photographs
Prize
To move or force, especially in an effort to get something open;
The burglar jimmied the lock
Raccoons managed to pry the lid off the garbage pail
Prize
Regard highly; think much of;
I respect his judgement
We prize his creativity
Prize
Of superior grade;
Choice wines
Prime beef
Prize carnations
Quality paper
Select peaches
Common Curiosities
Can someone receive an award without participating in a competition?
Yes, awards are often given for achievements or contributions in a specific field without the need for a competitive process.
Is a scholarship considered a prize or an award?
Scholarships are generally considered awards, as they recognize academic or other forms of merit rather than competition outcomes.
How do you qualify for a prize?
Qualification for a prize typically involves participating in and meeting or surpassing the criteria of a competition or contest.
Do all prizes involve money or physical gifts?
Most prizes are monetary or tangible, but they can also include honorary titles or other forms of recognition.
Is a medal a prize or an award?
Medals can be both; they serve as prizes in competitions like the Olympics and as awards in non-competitive recognitions for achievements.
Can an award be monetary?
While awards are usually symbolic, some can also include monetary benefits or grants.
How are award recipients chosen?
Recipients are often chosen based on their achievements, contributions, or excellence in a field, as evaluated by a selection committee or peers.
Are awards always given by a committee?
While many awards are decided by committees or peer groups, the process can vary depending on the awarding organization.
Can the same achievement win both a prize and an award?
Yes, an achievement in a competitive setting might win a prize, and also be recognized with an award for its excellence or impact.
Can organizations receive awards?
Yes, organizations can receive awards for their contributions, achievements, or impact in their respective fields.
What is the main difference between a prize and an award?
The main difference lies in their context; prizes are given for winning a competition, while awards recognize excellence or achievement in a field.
Are there international prizes and awards?
Yes, there are many international prizes and awards that recognize global achievements, such as the Nobel Prizes.
Do prizes always have to be won through a contest?
While most prizes are contest-based, some can be awarded for achievements in non-competitive scenarios, like raffles or lotteries.
What is the purpose of giving awards?
The purpose is to recognize, honor, and encourage excellence and achievement in various fields.
Can awards have categories?
Yes, awards can have multiple categories to recognize different types of achievements within the same field.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
