C1 noun #1,500 most common 3 min read

award

An award is a prize or honor given to someone for doing something well.

Explanation at your level:

An award is a prize. If you win a race, you get an award. It is a nice thing to have for being good at something.

You get an award when you do something special. It can be a trophy, a medal, or money. People give awards to show they are happy with your work.

An award is a formal prize given for an achievement. You might win an award at school or work. In law, it also means money given by a judge.

The term award denotes a formal mark of recognition. It is often used in the context of ceremonies, such as the Academy Awards. It implies a competitive process where the best performance is selected.

Beyond the common concept of a prize, award carries weight in legal and institutional frameworks. It signifies an authoritative decision, such as an arbitration award, which is legally binding. It represents the culmination of a rigorous evaluation process.

Etymologically, award reflects the transition from the act of judicial determination to the physical manifestation of that judgment. In literary and high-level discourse, it can symbolize the societal validation of merit. Its usage spans from the trivial, such as a participation award, to the profound, such as a Nobel Prize.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Award is a formal prize.
  • It also means a legal decision.
  • Use 'an' before it.
  • It implies recognition of merit.

Think of an award as a high-five from society! Whether it is a gold medal at the Olympics or a trophy for the spelling bee, it is a tangible way to say, 'You did a great job.' It validates hard work and excellence.

Beyond just trophies, the word has a legal side. If a judge decides you deserve money after a lawsuit, that payment is also called an award. It is a formal decision that settles a matter, making it a very powerful word in both casual and professional settings.

The word award has a fascinating history. It comes from the Anglo-French word awarder, which meant to 'pass judgment' or 'adjudge.' It is rooted in the Old French eswarder, meaning to look at or examine.

Originally, it was not just about giving a prize; it was about the process of deciding. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from the act of judging to the actual object or money given as a result of that judgment. It is a beautiful example of how words evolve from actions into the things we hold in our hands today.

You will hear award used in many contexts. We often use it with verbs like win, receive, or present. For example, 'She received an award for her bravery' is a classic way to use it.

In a business or legal sense, you might hear 'The court made an award of damages.' This is much more formal than saying someone won a prize. Always consider your audience; if you are talking to friends, stick to 'prize,' but in professional settings, 'award' is the gold standard.

  • Award-winning: Used to describe something of high quality. 'This is an award-winning pie!'
  • In recognition of: Often used when presenting an award. 'This is in recognition of your service.'
  • To be up for an award: To be a candidate. 'She is up for an award this year.'
  • An award of costs: A legal term where one party must pay the other's legal fees.
  • To sweep the awards: To win almost every prize available at a ceremony.

The noun award is countable. You can have one award or many awards. It is commonly used with the indefinite article 'an' (an award) because it starts with a vowel sound.

Pronunciation: In British English, it is /əˈwɔːd/, and in American English, it is /əˈwɔrd/. The stress is always on the second syllable. Rhyming words include board, sword, hoard, cord, and stored.

Fun Fact

It evolved from a legal process of judging to a prize.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /əˈwɔːd/

Sounds like 'a-word' with a long 'o' sound.

US /əˈwɔrd/

Sounds like 'a-word' with a clear 'r' at the end.

Common Errors

  • Pronouncing the 'w' too strongly
  • Missing the second syllable stress
  • Confusing 'o' sounds

Rhymes With

board sword hoard cord stored

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

easy

Writing 2/5

moderate

Speaking 2/5

moderate

Listening 1/5

easy

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

win prize give

Learn Next

accolade recognition arbitration

Advanced

bestowal adjudication

Grammar to Know

Indefinite Articles

An award

Countable Nouns

One award, two awards

Passive Voice

The award was given.

Examples by Level

1

She won an award.

She / won / a / prize.

Past tense of win.

2

It is a nice award.

It / is / a / good / prize.

Simple present.

3

I want an award.

I / desire / a / prize.

Desire.

4

Look at the award!

See / the / prize!

Exclamation.

5

He has one award.

He / owns / one / prize.

Possession.

6

The award is gold.

The / prize / is / made / of / gold.

Adjective.

7

They like the award.

They / enjoy / the / prize.

Verb.

8

This is my award.

This / is / my / prize.

Possessive.

1

The school gave her an award.

2

He received a big award.

3

The award is for hard work.

4

She put the award on the shelf.

5

We saw the award ceremony.

6

He is proud of his award.

7

They won a top award.

8

The award is very shiny.

1

She accepted the award with a smile.

2

The film won an award for best director.

3

The court made an award of damages.

4

He has a collection of awards.

5

The award was presented by the mayor.

6

They were nominated for an award.

7

The award recognizes his contribution.

8

It is a prestigious award.

1

The committee decided to grant an award to the volunteer.

2

He was honored with a lifetime achievement award.

3

The legal award was substantial.

4

She is a multi-award-winning author.

5

The ceremony was held to present the annual awards.

6

The award ceremony was broadcast live.

7

He felt unworthy of the award.

8

They disputed the court's award.

1

The arbitration award was finalized after months of negotiation.

2

She was bestowed with the highest award in her field.

3

The panel reached a unanimous decision on the award.

4

His work is worthy of such a prestigious award.

5

The award serves as a testament to his dedication.

6

The legal system allows for an award of costs.

7

She was excluded from the award shortlist.

8

The award carries a significant cash prize.

1

The arbitral award was challenged on procedural grounds.

2

He was the recipient of a posthumous award.

3

The award represents the pinnacle of artistic achievement.

4

The court's award was seen as a landmark ruling.

5

She received the award in recognition of her lifelong efforts.

6

The award ceremony was a glitzy, star-studded affair.

7

He was humbled by the receipt of the award.

8

The award is a symbol of institutional prestige.

Common Collocations

win an award
receive an award
present an award
prestigious award
annual award
top award
nominate for an award
accept an award
award ceremony
court award

Idioms & Expressions

"Up for an award"

Being considered for a prize.

Is your movie up for an award?

casual

"Sweep the awards"

Winning many prizes.

They swept the awards this year.

neutral

"Award-winning"

Having won an award.

She is an award-winning chef.

neutral

"In recognition of"

Honoring someone.

This is in recognition of your work.

formal

"A pat on the back"

Informal praise.

He deserves a pat on the back.

casual

"Take home the prize"

To win.

She took home the prize.

neutral

Easily Confused

award vs Reward

Both involve getting something.

Award is formal/prize; Reward is for effort.

He got an award for the race; a reward for finding the dog.

award vs Prize

Both are things you win.

Prize is more general; Award is formal.

He won a prize in the raffle; he received an award for service.

award vs Grant

Both involve giving.

Grant is money for a purpose.

He got a research grant.

award vs Fine

Both are legal.

Fine is a punishment.

He paid a fine for speeding.

Sentence Patterns

A1

Subject + receive + an award

She received an award.

A1

Subject + win + an award

He won an award.

B1

Subject + present + an award + to + someone

They presented the award to him.

B2

Subject + be + nominated + for + an award

She was nominated for an award.

C1

Subject + grant + an award

The court granted an award.

Word Family

Nouns

award The prize itself.

Verbs

award To give a prize.

Adjectives

award-winning Recognized with a prize.

Related

reward similar concept but different usage

How to Use It

frequency

8/10

Formality Scale

Legal award (formal) Prize (neutral) Trophy (casual) High-five (slang)

Common Mistakes

Using 'award' as a verb for everything. Use 'give' or 'present' for the action.
Award is a specific formal verb.
Confusing 'reward' and 'award'. Award is a prize; reward is a return for effort.
Awards are formal; rewards are often personal.
Saying 'a award'. An award.
Starts with a vowel sound.
Using 'award' for a salary. Use 'pay' or 'salary'.
Award implies a prize, not regular pay.
Pluralizing as 'awards'. Awards is correct.
It is a countable noun.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace Trick

Imagine a giant gold 'A' on a trophy.

💡

When Native Speakers Use It

Use it to show respect for an achievement.

🌍

Cultural Insight

Awards shows are a big part of US TV culture.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

Remember: An award.

💡

Say It Right

Focus on the 'or' sound.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Don't say 'a award'.

💡

Did You Know?

The Oscars are officially called 'Academy Awards'.

💡

Study Smart

Read news about award ceremonies.

💡

Expand

Learn 'accolade' for a higher level.

💡

Writing Tip

Use 'prestigious' before award.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

A-WARD: A-Winner-Always-Receives-Decorations.

Visual Association

A shiny gold trophy sitting on a velvet pillow.

Word Web

Prize Trophy Honor Recognition Competition

Challenge

Write down three things you would like to win an award for.

Word Origin

Anglo-French

Original meaning: To pass judgment.

Cultural Context

None, generally positive.

Awards are a huge part of culture, from the Oscars to school certificates.

The Academy Awards (Oscars) The Nobel Prize The Pulitzer Prize

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

at school

  • award ceremony
  • academic award
  • student of the year

at work

  • employee of the month
  • performance award
  • bonus award

in court

  • damages award
  • arbitration award
  • legal costs

in sports

  • gold medal
  • trophy
  • championship award

Conversation Starters

"What is the best award you have ever received?"

"Do you think awards shows are important?"

"Have you ever been nominated for anything?"

"What kind of award would you like to win?"

"Do you think money is a good award?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you felt proud of an achievement.

Describe your dream award.

Why do people like receiving awards?

If you were a judge, what would you give an award for?

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

No, it can be a title or money.

Yes, 'The judge awarded him money.'

Award is formal recognition; reward is a return for effort.

Yes, 'awards'.

Use 'an' because it starts with a vowel sound.

Usually positive, but legal awards can be penalties.

No, they can be given to groups or films.

Yes, very common in news and daily life.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

She won a gold ___.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: award

Award is the prize.

multiple choice A2

What is an award?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: A prize

It is a prize.

true false B1

An award is always money.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It can be a trophy or medal too.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Matching synonyms.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Subject-Verb-Object.

fill blank B2

The court made an ___ of damages.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: award

Legal term.

multiple choice C1

Which is a synonym for award?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: Accolade

Accolade is a formal prize.

true false C1

You can 'award' a person a prize.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: True

Correct verb usage.

fill blank C2

The ___ award was final.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: arbitration

Legal context.

multiple choice C2

What does 'award' mean historically?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: To judge

Rooted in judgment.

Score: /10

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