Prize vs. Trophy — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 27, 2024
Prizes are rewards for achievements, often monetary or symbolic, while trophies are physical symbols of victory, typically in competitions.
Difference Between Prize and Trophy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Prizes are awards given for a specific achievement, varying in form from money to titles, and aim to honor or reward someone's effort or excellence. They can be awarded in various fields such as literature, sports, and science. On the other hand, trophies are physical representations of success or victory, usually in competitive fields like sports and entertainment. These are often sculptural items that signify the holder's accomplishment.
While prizes can take many forms, including cash, scholarships, or valuable goods, they symbolically recognize an individual's or group's skill, effort, or excellence in a particular area. Trophies, whereas, are tangible items that serve as a memento of victory, designed to be displayed and often personalized with inscriptions related to the achievement.
Prizes often come with a degree of prestige and recognition, contributing to the recipient's reputation and career advancement. They can be seen in prestigious awards like the Nobel Prize or the Pulitzer Prize. Trophies, on the other hand, while also prestigious, tend to be more about symbolizing a competitive victory and are cherished as physical tokens of success, such as the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
The process of winning a prize can involve various criteria, including excellence, innovation, or contribution to a field, and is often decided by a panel or committee. Trophies, however, are typically awarded based on the outcome of a competition, with clear winners and losers.
Prizes can be seen as a broader category that may include trophies, but also encompasses a wide variety of other awards. Trophies are a specific type of prize that specifically denotes a physical award given for a particular achievement in competitive environments.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An award given for a specific achievement.
A physical symbol of victory or success in a competition.
Form
Can be monetary, medals, titles, or valuable goods.
Usually sculptural items like cups, statues, or plaques.
Symbolism
Recognition of effort, excellence, or achievement.
Emblematic of victory or success in a competition.
Purpose
To honor, reward, or financially support the recipient.
To serve as a physical reminder of a specific achievement.
Typical Fields
Academia, literature, sports, science, and arts.
Sports, entertainment, and competitive events.
Compare with Definitions
Prize
Something given as a reward, distinction, or incentive.
The Nobel Prize is awarded for outstanding contributions to humanity.
Trophy
A decorative object symbolizing a specific achievement.
Each participant received a trophy for their efforts in the tournament.
Prize
An award or honor for a specific accomplishment.
He received a prize for his lifetime achievements in film.
Trophy
An item that serves as a memento of success or achievement.
Her trophy shelf was filled with awards from various piano competitions.
Prize
A token or item given as recognition of victory in a contest.
The spelling bee champion was given a prize book.
Trophy
A sculpted representation of triumph, often personalized.
The trophy bore the names of all the winners over the years.
Prize
A monetary award for winning or placing in a competition.
The prize money for the marathon was $10,000.
Trophy
A physical award given as a symbol of victory in sports or other competitions.
The team lifted the trophy high after winning the championship.
Prize
A reward given for achievement, excellence, or winning a competition.
She won a prize for her science project.
Trophy
An emblem of victory, especially in competitive events.
The gold trophy represented the highest honor in the league.
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.
Trophy
A trophy is a tangible, durable reminder of a specific achievement, and serves as a recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies are often awarded for sporting events, from youth sports to professional level athletics.
Prize
Something offered or won as an award for superiority or victory, as in a contest or competition.
Trophy
A prize or memento, such as a cup or plaque, received as a symbol of victory, especially in sports.
Prize
Something offered or won in a lottery or similar game of chance.
Trophy
A specimen or part, such as a lion's head, preserved as a token of a successful hunt.
Prize
Something worth striving for; a highly desirable possession.
Trophy
A memento, as of one's personal achievements.
Prize
Something seized by force or taken as booty, especially an enemy ship and its cargo captured at sea during wartime.
Trophy
The spoils of war, dedicated in classical antiquity with an inscription to a deity and set up as a temporary monument on or near a battlefield, placed in an existing temple, or housed in a permanent, new structure.
Prize
Chiefly Southern US Something used as a lever or for prying.
Trophy
An ornamental depiction of a group of weapons or pieces of armor.
Prize
Offered or given as a prize
A prize cup.
Trophy
A similar depiction of a group of other items, such as musical instruments or agricultural implements.
Prize
Given a prize, or likely to win a prize
A prize cow.
Trophy
Impressive or ostentatious so as to display one's wealth or status
A trophy home.
Prize
Worthy of a prize; first-class
Our prize azaleas.
Trophy
An object, usually in the form of a statuette, cup, or shield, awarded for success in a competition or to mark a special achievement.
He won the trophy in a running competition.
Prize
To value highly; esteem or treasure.
Trophy
An object taken as a prize by a hunter or conqueror, especially one that is displayed.
The set of antlers which hung on the wall was his prized trophy.
Prize
To estimate the worth of; evaluate.
Trophy
Any emblem of success; a status symbol.
His trophies included his second wife, his successful children, the third and fourth homes in Palm Beach and Malibu, and his three yachts.
Prize
To move or force with a lever; pry
Prized open the antique chest.
Trophy
An object taken by a serial killer or rapist as a memento of the crime.
Prize
That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.
Trophy
A tropæum.
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.
Trophy
A display of weaponry and other militaria, often captured from a defeated enemy, as an ornament designed for the purpose of triumphalist display by a victor or as a show of military prowess by a monarch.
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.
Trophy
An artifact or artwork that has been stolen by a criminal and traded on the black market.
Prize
That which may be won by chance, as in a lottery.
Trophy
An animal killed by a trophy hunter that usually has its parts sold on the black market.
Prize
Anything worth striving for; a valuable possession held or in prospect.
Trophy
(transitive) To adorn with trophies.
Prize
(obsolete) A contest for a reward; competition.
Trophy
(intransitive) To win a trophy in a competition.
Prize
A lever; a pry; also, the hold of a lever.
Trophy
A sign or memorial of a victory raised on the field of battle, or, in case of a naval victory, on the nearest land. Sometimes trophies were erected in the chief city of the conquered people.
Prize
Obsolete form of price
Trophy
The representation of such a memorial, as on a medal; esp. (Arch.), an ornament representing a group of arms and military weapons, offensive and defensive.
Prize
To consider highly valuable; to esteem.
Trophy
Anything taken from an enemy and preserved as a memorial of victory, as arms, flags, standards, etc.
Around the posts hung helmets, darts, and spears,And captive chariots, axes, shields, and bars,And broken beaks of ships, the trophies of their wars.
Prize
(obsolete) To set or estimate the value of; to appraise; to price; to rate.
Trophy
Any evidence or memorial of victory or conquest; as, every redeemed soul is a trophy of grace.
Prize
To move with a lever; to force up or open; to prise or pry.
Trophy
Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained from atropine and certain other alkaloids, as a white crystalline substance slightly soluble in water.
Prize
(obsolete) To compete in a prizefight.
Trophy
An award for success in war or hunting
Prize
Having won a prize; award-winning.
A prize vegetable
Trophy
Something given as a token of victory
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 a trophy be considered a prize?
Yes, a trophy is a specific type of prize that is a physical representation of achievement or victory.
Are trophies always physical objects?
Yes, trophies are physical objects, often sculptural, designed to commemorate and display an achievement.
What is a trophy?
A trophy is a physical symbol of victory or success, typically awarded in competitive fields like sports.
What forms can prizes take?
Prizes can vary from monetary awards, medals, titles, scholarships, to valuable goods.
How are trophies designed?
Trophies are designed to be emblematic of success, often personalized and made to be displayed proudly.
Do prizes contribute to a person's career or reputation?
Yes, winning prestigious prizes can significantly contribute to an individual's reputation, prestige, and career advancement.
Are trophies only awarded individually?
Trophies can be awarded to individuals or teams, depending on the nature of the competition or achievement.
What is a prize?
A prize is an award given for achievement, excellence, or winning a competition, often symbolic or monetary.
Can anyone win a prize or trophy?
Prizes and trophies are awarded based on criteria such as achievement, excellence, or winning a competition, so eligibility can vary.
Is a trophy always awarded in sports competitions?
While trophies are commonly associated with sports, they can also be awarded in other competitive fields like entertainment.
What is the purpose of giving out prizes?
The purpose is to honor, reward, or support the recipient for their efforts, achievements, or excellence in a specific field.
What is the significance of a trophy in competitions?
Trophies signify victory and success, serving as a tangible reminder and symbol of accomplishment in competitions.
Do prizes always include money?
No, while some prizes include monetary awards, others may be symbolic, such as medals or titles.
How do prizes and trophies differ in symbolism?
Prizes symbolize recognition of achievement, effort, or excellence, while trophies specifically symbolize victory in a competition.
Can a prize be an item other than money or a trophy?
Yes, prizes can also include medals, scholarships, books, and other valuable goods or tokens of appreciation.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
