Reward vs. Prize — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Published on February 2, 2024
A reward is given for a specific action or behavior, while a prize is won in a competition or contest.
Difference Between Reward and Prize
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Rewards are often given as recognition for a person's effort, work, or behavior, aiming to encourage certain actions or behaviors. Prizes, however, are typically awarded to winners of competitions or contests, signifying achievement or victory in a specific event. The concept of a reward is closely tied to the idea of incentive or compensation for individual contributions, whether in a professional, educational, or personal context. In contrast, prizes are associated with competition, often involving multiple participants vying for a singular or limited award based on performance, skill, or luck.
Rewards can be expected or promised for meeting certain criteria or achieving specific goals, making them a form of positive reinforcement. Prizes are usually uncertain until the competition's outcome is determined, adding an element of suspense and competition. The nature of rewards is often more personal and can be tailored to the recipient's interests or needs, reflecting a direct relationship between the giver and the recipient. Conversely, prizes are generally predefined and may not necessarily align with the personal preferences of the winner, emphasizing the prize's symbolic value over its utility.
The distribution of rewards is usually based on subjective assessments of performance or behavior, allowing for flexibility and personalization in what is rewarded and how. Prizes are awarded based on objective criteria or the outcome of an event, leaving little room for discretion in who receives the prize. Rewards can foster long-term motivation and relationship building, as they often come from employers, teachers, or family members in recognition of ongoing efforts. Prizes, by their nature, celebrate momentary success and are more about marking a specific achievement than encouraging ongoing behavior.
Rewards and prizes both serve to acknowledge and celebrate achievements, but they do so in different contexts and with different implications. While rewards emphasize the value of effort and contribution, prizes highlight the importance of competitive success and standing out among peers. Understanding the distinction between rewards and prizes is crucial in applying them effectively in various aspects of life, from education and work to personal achievements and recreational activities.
Comparison Chart
Basis of Awarding
Given for specific actions, efforts, or behaviors.
Awarded for winning a competition or contest.
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Nature
More personal and can be tailored to the recipient.
More general and often related to the competition's theme.
Purpose
To motivate, encourage, or show appreciation.
To recognize victory or success in a competitive setting.
Criteria
Subjective, based on individual or organizational standards.
Objective, often based on performance, skill, or luck.
Recurrence
Can be recurring, based on ongoing achievements.
Typically one-time, associated with a specific event.
Compare with Definitions
Reward
Something given in return for a helpful act:
She offered a reward for the return of her lost dog.
Prize
An item given as a reward in a game or competition:
The grand prize of the raffle was a new car.
Reward
A positive reinforcement for desirable behavior:
Parents gave their child a reward for good grades.
Prize
Something offered or won as an award for superiority or victory, as in a contest or competition.
Reward
A prize or benefit gained from an action:
The scientist's reward for her research was a groundbreaking discovery.
Prize
Something offered or won in a lottery or similar game of chance.
Reward
An intrinsic satisfaction from doing something:
The volunteer felt her reward was the smile on the children's faces.
Prize
Something worth striving for; a highly desirable possession.
Reward
A consequence that happens to someone as a result of worthy or unworthy behavior
The rewards of exercise.
The rewards of lying to your boss.
Prize
Something seized by force or taken as booty, especially an enemy ship and its cargo captured at sea during wartime.
Reward
Money offered or given for some special service, such as the return of a lost article or the capture of a criminal.
Prize
Chiefly Southern US Something used as a lever or for prying.
Reward
A satisfying return on investment; a profit.
Prize
Offered or given as a prize
A prize cup.
Reward
(Psychology) The return for performance of a desired behavior; positive reinforcement.
Prize
Given a prize, or likely to win a prize
A prize cow.
Reward
To give a reward to or for.
Prize
Worthy of a prize; first-class
Our prize azaleas.
Reward
Something of value given in return for an act.
For catching the thief, you'll get a nice reward.
Prize
To value highly; esteem or treasure.
Reward
A prize promised for a certain deed or catch
The rewards for bringing in badly wanted criminals are printed on 'dead or alive' posters.
Prize
To estimate the worth of; evaluate.
Reward
The result of an action, whether good or bad.
Is this the reward I get for telling the truth: to be put in jail?
Prize
To move or force with a lever; pry
Prized open the antique chest.
Reward
(transitive) To give a reward to or for.
Why are you rewarding the child for misbehaving?
Why are you rewarding that bad behaviour?
Prize
That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.
Reward
(transitive) To recompense.
Decorations are meant to reward the most meritous acts and services.
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.
Reward
To give (something) as a reward.
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.
Reward
To give in return, whether good or evil; - commonly in a good sense; to requite; to recompense; to repay; to compensate.
After the deed that is done, one doom shall reward,Mercy or no mercy as truth will accord.
Thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
God rewards those that have made use of the single talent.
Prize
That which may be won by chance, as in a lottery.
Reward
Regard; respect; consideration.
Take reward of thine own value.
Prize
Anything worth striving for; a valuable possession held or in prospect.
Reward
That which is given in return for good or evil done or received; esp., that which is offered or given in return for some service or attainment, as for excellence in studies, for the return of something lost, etc.; recompense; requital.
Thou returnestFrom flight, seditious angel, to receiveThy merited reward.
Rewards and punishments do always presuppose something willingly done well or ill.
Prize
(obsolete) A contest for a reward; competition.
Reward
Hence, the fruit of one's labor or works.
The dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward.
Prize
A lever; a pry; also, the hold of a lever.
Reward
Compensation or remuneration for services; a sum of money paid or taken for doing, or forbearing to do, some act.
Prize
Obsolete form of price
Reward
A recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing;
The wages of sin is death
Virtue is its own reward
Prize
To consider highly valuable; to esteem.
Reward
Payment made in return for a service rendered
Prize
(obsolete) To set or estimate the value of; to appraise; to price; to rate.
Reward
An act performed to strengthen approved behavior
Prize
To move with a lever; to force up or open; to prise or pry.
Reward
The offer of money for helping to find a criminal or for returning lost property
Prize
(obsolete) To compete in a prizefight.
Reward
Benefit resulting from some event or action;
It turned out to my advantage
Reaping the rewards of generosity
Prize
Having won a prize; award-winning.
A prize vegetable
Reward
Bestow honor or rewards upon;
Today we honor our soldiers
The scout was rewarded for courageus action
Prize
; exceptional.
He was a prize fool.
Reward
Strengthen and support with rewards;
Let's reinforce good behavior
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.
Reward
Act or give recompensation in recognition of someone's behavior or actions
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.
Reward
Compensation for service or achievement:
He received a monetary reward for his years of loyal service.
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
Prize
An award given for victory or superiority in a contest:
He won the first prize in the poetry competition.
Prize
Something highly valued for its qualities:
Her friendship is a prize beyond measure.
Prize
An amount of money won in a lottery or game of chance:
She hit the jackpot, taking home a large prize.
Prize
A captured enemy vessel in wartime, regarded as a trophy:
The naval officer was celebrated for securing a valuable prize.
Common Curiosities
What is a reward?
A reward is something given in recognition of service, effort, or achievement.
What is a prize?
A prize is an award given for winning a competition or for superiority in a field.
Is a reward always expected?
Rewards can be expected or unexpected, depending on the circumstances and previous arrangements.
Do prizes have to be won through competition?
Typically, prizes are associated with competitions or contests, though there can be exceptions.
Can the same thing be both a reward and a prize?
Yes, an item or recognition can function as both, depending on the context in which it is given.
Can a reward be monetary?
Yes, rewards can be monetary, such as bonuses or tips.
Are prizes always physical items?
Prizes can be physical items, titles, or even monetary amounts, depending on the context.
Are all prizes valuable?
The value of a prize can vary widely and can be subjective, depending on the recipient's perspective.
Is a 'finder's fee' a reward?
Yes, a finder's fee is a type of reward given for locating something or someone.
Can a reward be non-material?
Absolutely, rewards can include recognition, privileges, or other non-material benefits.
Do prizes motivate people?
Prizes can be strong motivators, especially in competitive environments.
Can a reward be intrinsic?
Yes, rewards can be intrinsic, such as personal satisfaction or joy from an action.
Are rewards always positive?
Rewards are intended to be positive, reinforcing desired behaviors or achievements.
Can employees receive prizes?
Yes, employees can receive prizes, often as part of contests or performance-based competitions within a company.
Is a scholarship considered a reward or a prize?
Scholarships can be seen as rewards for academic achievement or potential, though they may have competitive elements.
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Written 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.
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.
