Apiece vs. Piece — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 6, 2024
"Apiece" signifies per person or each, used for distributions (e.g., $10 apiece), whereas "piece" refers to a part of something larger (e.g., a piece of cake).
Difference Between Apiece and Piece
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Apiece" is an adverb that describes distribution or allocation, indicating that each individual receives a specified amount, while "piece" is a noun that denotes a portion of a larger whole.
When pricing items, "apiece" is commonly used, as in "tickets sold at $20 apiece," whereas "piece" is used to describe elements of a collection, like "a piece of the puzzle."
In usage, "apiece" adds clarity to financial or numerical distributions ensuring each person understands what they are allocated, while "piece" helps in describing the division or segmentation of an object.
While "apiece" often appears in contexts involving sharing or selling, "piece" finds a broader application in various contexts from art (a piece of art) to emotions (a piece of one's mind).
Apiece ensures uniformity in distribution or cost, emphasizing equality, whereas a piece can vary greatly in size, shape, or importance depending on its context.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adverb
Noun
Usage
Quantitative distribution per unit or person
Describes a fragment of a larger entity
Context
Financial transactions, distribution
General usage, including abstract concepts
Example
"The candies were $1 apiece."
"She took a piece of the cake."
Implication
Equality in distribution
Part of something, not necessarily equal
Compare with Definitions
Apiece
As an adverb, used to describe cost per unit.
Each apple costs 50 cents apiece.
Piece
An amount of some material or substance.
She added a piece of ginger to the soup.
Apiece
Used in numerical and financial contexts.
Each team member must raise $500 apiece.
Piece
A work of art or literature.
That sculpture is an original piece by a famous artist.
Apiece
Indicates individual share in distribution.
The participants received two cookies apiece.
Piece
An instance or occurrence of a type.
It's just a piece of the puzzle.
Apiece
Reflects equality in allocation.
The winners were awarded $100 apiece.
Piece
A part separated from a whole.
He cut the rope into three pieces.
Apiece
Commonly used in context of selling items.
The tickets were sold for $30 apiece.
Piece
A portion of personal expression.
He gave his piece of mind during the meeting.
Apiece
To or for each one; each
There is enough bread for everyone to have two slices apiece.
Piece
A portion of an object or of material, produced by cutting, tearing, or breaking the whole
A piece of cheese
The dish lay in pieces on the floor
Apiece
Each by itself; for or to each one
These melons cost a dollar apiece.
Piece
A written, musical, or artistic creation
A haunting piece of music
Apiece
Each by itself; by the single one; to each; as the share of each; as, these melons cost a shilling apiece.
Piece
An instance or example
A crucial piece of evidence
Apiece
To or from every one of two or more (considered individually);
They received $10 each
Piece
A coin of specified value
A 10p piece
Piece
A figure or token used to make moves in a board game
A chess piece
Piece
A firearm.
Piece
A woman.
Piece
A sandwich or other item of food taken as a snack.
Piece
Assemble something from parts or pieces
The dinosaur was pieced together from 119 bones
Piece
Extend something
His coming and assisting them was like a cordial given to a dying man, which doth piece out his life
Piece
Patch (something)
If it be broken it must be pieced
Piece
A thing considered as a unit or an element of a larger thing, quantity, or class; a portion
A piece of string.
Piece
A portion or part that has been separated from a whole
A piece of pie.
Piece
An object that is one member of a group or class
A piece of furniture.
Piece
An artistic, musical, or literary work or composition
"They are lively and well-plotted pieces, both in prose" (Tucker Brooke).
Piece
An instance; a specimen
A piece of sheer folly.
Piece
What one has to say about something; an opinion
Speak one's piece.
Piece
A coin
A ten-cent piece.
Piece
One of the counters or figures used in playing various board games.
Piece
Any one of the chess figures other than a pawn.
Piece
(Slang) A firearm, especially a rifle.
Piece
(Informal) A given distance
"There was farm country down the road on the right a piece" (James Agee).
Piece
To mend by adding pieces or a piece to
Piece a dress.
Piece
To join or unite the pieces of
He pieced together the vase. She pieced together an account of what had gone on during the stormy meeting.
Piece
A part of a larger whole, usually in such a form that it is able to be separated from other parts.
I’d like another piece of pie.
I've lost a piece of this jigsaw puzzle.
Piece
A single item belonging to a class of similar items.
A piece of machinery
A piece of software
A useful piece of advice
Piece
(chess) One of the figures used in playing chess, specifically a higher-value figure as distinguished from a pawn; by extension, a similar counter etc. in other games.
Piece
A coin, especially one valued at less than the principal unit of currency.
A sixpenny piece
Piece
An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, musical composition, literary work, etc.
She played two beautiful pieces on the piano.
Piece
An article published in the press.
Today's paper has an interesting piece on medical research.
Piece
A toupee or wig, especially when worn by a man.
The announcer is wearing a new piece.
Piece
A slice or other quantity of bread, eaten on its own; a sandwich or light snack.
Piece
A shoddy or worthless object usually applied to consumer products like vehicles or appliances.
Ugh, my new computer is such a piece. I'm taking it back to the store tomorrow.
Piece
A cannabis pipe.
Piece
Used to describe a pitch that has been hit but not well, usually either being caught by the opposing team or going foul. Usually used in the past tense with get.
He got a piece of that one;
She got a piece of the ball...and it's going foul.
Piece
An individual; a person.
Piece
(obsolete) A castle; a fortified building.
Piece
(US) A pacifier; a dummy.
Piece
(colloquial) A distance.
A far piece
Located a fair piece away from their camp
A fair piece off
Piece
(rowing) A structured practice row, often used for performance evaluation.
At practice we rowed four 5,000 meter pieces.
That last piece was torture.
Piece
An amount of work to be done at one time; a unit of piece work.
Piece
(slang) An ounce of a recreational drug.
Piece
To assemble (something real or figurative).
These clues allowed us to piece together the solution to the mystery.
Piece
To make, enlarge, or repair, by the addition of a piece or pieces; to patch; often with out.
To piece a garment
Piece
(slang) To produce a work of graffiti more complex than a tag.
Piece
A fragment or part of anything separated from the whole, in any manner, as by cutting, splitting, breaking, or tearing; a part; a portion; as, a piece of sugar; to break in pieces.
Bring it out piece by piece.
Piece
A definite portion or quantity, as of goods or work; as, a piece of broadcloth; a piece of wall paper.
Piece
Any one thing conceived of as apart from other things of the same kind; an individual article; a distinct single effort of a series; a definite performance
Piece
An individual; - applied to a person as being of a certain nature or quality; often, but not always, used slightingly or in contempt.
Thy mother was a piece of virtue.
His own spirit is as unsettled a piece as there is in all the world.
Piece
One of the superior men, distinguished from a pawn.
Piece
A castle; a fortified building.
Piece
To make, enlarge, or repair, by the addition of a piece or pieces; to patch; as, to piece a garment; - often with out.
Piece
To unite; to join; to combine.
His adversaries . . . pieced themselves together in a joint opposition against him.
Piece
To unite by a coalescence of parts; to fit together; to join.
Piece
A separate part of a whole;
An important piece of the evidence
Piece
An item that is an instance of some type;
He designed a new piece of equipment
She bought a lovely piece of china
Piece
A portion of a natural object;
They analyzed the river into three parts
He needed a piece of granite
Piece
A musical work that has been created;
The composition is written in four movements
Piece
An instance of some kind;
It was a nice piece of work
He had a bit of good luck
Piece
An artistic or literary composition;
He wrote an interesting piece on Iran
The children acted out a comic piece to amuse the guests
Piece
A serving that has been cut from a larger portion;
A piece of pie
A slice of bread
Piece
A distance;
It is down the road a piece
Piece
A work of art of some artistic value;
This store sells only objets d'art
It is not known who created this piece
Piece
A period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition;
He was here for a little while
I need to rest for a piece
A spell of good weather
A patch of bad weather
Piece
A share of something;
A slice of the company's revenue
Piece
Game equipment consisting of an object used in playing certain board games;
He taught me to set up the men on the chess board
He sacrificed a piece to get a strategic advantage
Piece
To join or unite the pieces of;
Patch the skirt
Piece
Make by putting pieces together;
She pieced a quilt
He tacked together some verses
Piece
Join during spinning;
Piece the broken pieces of thread, slivers, and rovings
Piece
Eat intermittently; take small bites of;
He pieced at the sandwich all morning
She never eats a full meal--she just nibbles
Piece
Repair by adding pieces;
She pieced the china cup
Common Curiosities
Can "piece" indicate a physical quantity?
Yes, it can refer to physical quantities like a piece of cloth or cake.
What are some typical contexts for using "piece"?
It can be used in describing parts of physical items, works of art, and expressions.
What is "apiece" used for?
It's used to indicate the cost or amount distributed per person or unit.
Is "apiece" only associated with monetary contexts?
Primarily, but it can also be used for non-monetary distributions.
How specific is the term "apiece" in terms of amount?
It specifically denotes the same amount per person or item.
In which settings is "piece" preferred over "apiece"?
"Piece" is preferred in most non-numeric contexts.
Does the meaning of "piece" vary in artistic contexts?
Yes, in arts, "piece" can refer to an individual work, like a painting or sculpture.
How is "piece" commonly used?
It refers to a part of something larger or a segment of a whole.
Can "apiece" be used interchangeably with "each"?
Yes, in contexts involving distribution, "apiece" and "each" can be similar.
Is "apiece" formal or informal in usage?
It is relatively informal but widely accepted in both spoken and written English.
How does "piece" differ when referring to emotions?
It usually implies giving a portion of one's thoughts or feelings.
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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.
