How to pronounce prize
Say it like PRYZE. Prize is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prize. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRYZE
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prize pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PRYZESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of prize
American and British speakers say prize in essentially the same way: /praɪz/ in the US and /praɪz/ in the UK.
British respelling: PRYZE.
What does prize mean?
- something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery“the prize was a free trip to Europe”
- goods or money obtained illegally
- something given as a token of victory
- hold dear“I prize these old photographs”
- 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”
- regard highly; think much of“I respect his judgement”“We prize his creativity”
- of superior grade“choice wines”“prime beef”
Where does prize come from?
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.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with prize
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prize.
Questions about saying prize
How do you pronounce prize?
Say PRYZE. The American pronunciation is /praɪz/. In British English it is /praɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prize?
Prize is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: PRYZE.
Do Americans and Brits say prize the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /praɪz/ and the British form is /praɪz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.