Explanation at your level:
A reward is a prize. If you do good work, you get a reward. Maybe your teacher gives you a sticker. That is a reward!
When you work hard, you get a reward. It can be money, a gift, or a treat. It makes you feel happy because you earned it.
A reward is something given in recognition of an achievement. It is a common concept in school and work. People often work harder when they know there is a reward waiting for them.
The term reward implies a transactional relationship between effort and outcome. It is frequently used in professional contexts to describe incentives, bonuses, or public recognition for meritorious service.
Beyond simple prizes, reward can refer to the intrinsic satisfaction gained from a challenging endeavor. It is often used in philosophical discussions about the nature of motivation and the 'rewards' of a well-lived life.
Etymologically rooted in the concept of 'looking back' or 'regard', the word reward encapsulates the societal mechanism of reciprocity. It is a nuanced term used to distinguish between extrinsic compensation and intrinsic fulfillment in complex academic and literary discourse.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A reward is a prize for effort.
- It is usually positive.
- It can be money or recognition.
- It comes from the French word 'reguarder'.
Think of a reward as the positive outcome of your hard work. Whether you are a student getting a gold star or an employee receiving a bonus, a reward is the universe's way of saying, 'Well done!'
It is essentially a positive reinforcement. When we talk about rewards, we are usually focusing on the benefit gained rather than the effort itself. It is a very versatile word used in everything from training pets to corporate incentive programs.
The word reward has a fascinating journey. It comes from the Old French word reguarder, which originally meant 'to look at' or 'to gaze'.
Over time, the meaning shifted from simply 'looking at' to 'looking back at' someone with favor, eventually evolving into the idea of repaying someone for their actions. It shares roots with the word 'regard'. It is a perfect example of how language evolves from physical actions to abstract concepts of fairness and payment.
You will hear reward used in both formal and informal settings. In business, we often talk about 'performance-based rewards' or 'financial rewards'.
In casual conversation, we might say, 'I deserve a reward for finishing this project!' It acts as a countable noun, so you can have 'a reward' or 'many rewards'. It is almost always associated with positive actions or outcomes.
Idioms help us express complex ideas about rewards. Virtue is its own reward means that doing the right thing is satisfying enough without needing a prize. Reap the rewards means to benefit from the results of your past efforts.
Another common one is a labor of love, which implies the work itself is the reward. These phrases show how deeply embedded the concept of 'earning' is in our daily English.
As a noun, reward is regular and follows standard pluralization: rewards. It can also function as a verb, which makes it very useful.
Pronunciation is straightforward: /rɪˈwɔːrd/. The stress is on the second syllable. Rhyming words include toward, forward, and award. Remember that the 'w' is silent in some dialects, but generally, it is pronounced clearly.
Fun Fact
It evolved from the idea of 'looking back' at someone with favor.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'ree-word'.
Sounds like 'ree-word' with a clear 'r'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'w' as a 'v'.
- Missing the 'r' sound.
- Incorrect stress on the first syllable.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read.
Easy to use.
Common word.
Clear sound.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun Pluralization
reward -> rewards
Verb+Preposition
reward for
Countable Nouns
a reward, two rewards
Examples by Level
I got a reward.
I received a prize.
Noun usage.
The dog got a treat as a reward.
Treat = reward.
Noun.
Good work deserves a reward.
Deserves = should get.
Subject-verb.
Here is your reward.
Giving a prize.
Direct address.
He wants a reward.
Desiring a prize.
Verb + noun.
Is this my reward?
Asking about a prize.
Question form.
A small reward for you.
A little prize.
Adjective + noun.
We love rewards.
Plural form.
Plural noun.
She earned a reward for her grades.
The company gave him a cash reward.
Hard work brings a great reward.
He is looking for a reward.
The reward was very big.
Did you get your reward?
They shared the reward.
It is a nice reward.
The police offered a reward for information.
She reaped the rewards of her study.
The project was a reward in itself.
He expected a reward for his help.
They divided the reward equally.
A reward system motivates staff.
He received a reward for bravery.
The effort was worth the reward.
The team was given a financial reward.
His dedication was finally rewarded.
We must consider the potential rewards.
The reward far outweighed the risk.
She sought a reward for her loyalty.
They implemented a new reward structure.
The reward for patience is success.
He found the work its own reward.
The psychological reward was immense.
He was driven by the reward of discovery.
The system provides little reward for innovation.
She viewed the challenge as a reward.
The reward of a quiet life is peace.
They discussed the long-term rewards.
The reward was purely symbolic.
He anticipated a significant reward.
The intrinsic reward of the craft is paramount.
His actions were devoid of any expectation of reward.
The reward of wisdom is gained through experience.
She found the reward of solitude refreshing.
The institutional reward mechanism is flawed.
They debated the ethics of performance rewards.
The reward was a testament to his legacy.
He sought the reward of intellectual clarity.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"virtue is its own reward"
Doing good is satisfying enough.
Don't ask for thanks; virtue is its own reward.
formal"reap the rewards"
Enjoy the results of work.
He is finally reaping the rewards.
neutral"a labor of love"
Work done for pleasure.
The garden is a labor of love.
neutral"in return for"
As a reward for.
I did it in return for his help.
neutral"bang for your buck"
Good value for money.
This car gives great bang for your buck.
casualEasily Confused
Both are prizes.
Award is formal/public.
He won an award for the film.
Both are items.
Gift is for love/events.
She gave me a birthday gift.
Both are extra.
Bonus is specifically money.
I got a work bonus.
Both are rewards.
Prize is for winning a game.
He won the top prize.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + get + reward
I get a reward.
Subject + deserve + reward
You deserve a reward.
Subject + offer + reward + for
They offered a reward for it.
Subject + reap + rewards + of
He reaps the rewards of his work.
Subject + find + reward + in
She finds reward in helping.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Award is formal, reward is personal.
Awards are given by organizations.
Rewards are earned.
The preposition 'for' is required.
Standard pluralization.
Tips
Memory Palace
Put a gold medal on your door to remember 'reward'.
Work Context
Use it to talk about bonuses.
Parenting
Parents use reward charts for kids.
Verb Pattern
Always use 'rewarded for'.
Say It Right
Stress the second syllable.
Don't mix with award
Award = competition, Reward = effort.
Did You Know?
It comes from 'looking at'.
Study Smart
Reward yourself after studying!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
RE-WARD: RE (again) + WARD (guard). You guard the prize again.
Visual Association
A gold medal.
Word Web
Challenge
Think of a reward you gave yourself today.
Word Origin
Old French
Original meaning: To look at or gaze.
Cultural Context
None, generally positive.
Used heavily in parenting and corporate culture.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- performance reward
- bonus payment
- employee recognition
At school
- gold star
- good grades
- extra credit
Training pets
- treats
- positive reinforcement
- good boy
General life
- hard work pays off
- well deserved
- a nice treat
Conversation Starters
"What is the best reward you have ever received?"
"Do you think kids should get rewards for chores?"
"Is money the best reward at work?"
"What is a reward for a hard day?"
"Do you believe in the saying 'virtue is its own reward'?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you earned a reward.
What reward would you give yourself for finishing this course?
Describe a reward system that you think works well.
Is it better to give or receive rewards?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, you can reward someone.
Rewards.
Yes, almost always.
Usually no, gifts are for occasions; rewards are for work.
Awards are formal prizes; rewards are personal or earned.
Yes.
No, all letters are pronounced.
Yes, dog treats are rewards.
Test Yourself
I got a ___ for my hard work.
Reward is the prize for work.
What is a reward?
A reward is a positive prize.
A reward is usually negative.
Rewards are positive.
Word
Meaning
Matching synonyms and opposites.
He deserved the reward.
Score: /5
Summary
A reward is the positive result you earn for your hard work.
- A reward is a prize for effort.
- It is usually positive.
- It can be money or recognition.
- It comes from the French word 'reguarder'.
Memory Palace
Put a gold medal on your door to remember 'reward'.
Work Context
Use it to talk about bonuses.
Parenting
Parents use reward charts for kids.
Verb Pattern
Always use 'rewarded for'.
Example
他因为表现出色而获得了奖赏。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More work words
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2accident; mishap
依照
A2According to; in accordance with.
准确地
A2accurately, precisely
做到
A2to achieve; to accomplish
积极地
A2actively; enthusiastically
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Administration; the management of affairs.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2To approve of, to endorse; to agree with or support.
