/ˈpɹaɪzəz/
Say it backPrizes is the plural of prize, meaning rewards or objects won or given for achievement. In everyday use, it refers to valuable awards or distinctions; in some contexts it can function as a verb (to prize something) meaning to value highly. The word typically appears in discussions of competitions, ceremonies, and recognition, and carries a sense of desirability and honor.
"The science fair winners received several prizes."
"She won multiple prizes at the festival for her artwork."
"Corporate sponsors contributed generous prizes for the contestants."
Pronounce as /ˈpraɪzɪz/. The primary stress is on the first syllable PIDE as a single stressed syllable followed by a weak 'i' in the second syllable: -ziz. Start with the /praɪ/ rhotic onset, with the 'ai' as in 'fly', then the /z/ sound, and finish with a brief schwa or reduced /ɪ/ followed by /z/ for the plural. In careful speech you’ll clearly hear two voiced sibilants: /ˈpraɪzɪz/. Audio reference you can check is pronunciation dictionaries or Pronounce resources.
Common mistakes include turning the second syllable into a full vowel like /ɪz/ instead of a reduced /ɪ/ and slurring the /z/ into /s/ in fast speech. Some speakers misplace stress, saying /ˈpraɪzɪz/ with two equal stress beats or misarticulating /praɪ/ as /preɪ/ or /proɪ/. Focus on a clean /ˈpraɪ/ onset, then a short, lax /ɪ/ before the final /z/.
US/UK/AU share /ˈpraɪzɪz/ for the noun plural. The rhoticity doesn’t affect this word much; however, subtle vowel quality of /aɪ/ may vary: US often has a somewhat tighter /aɪ/; UK may show a marginally retracted /aɪ/ in some dialects, and AU can have a slightly broader diphthong. Final /z/ remains voiced in all, but some Australian speakers might reduce adjacent vowels more in rapid speech.
The difficulty lies in the two consecutive voiced sibilants /z/ that create a rapid sequence ending in /z/. The balance of the long /aɪ/ diphthong with the quick /z/ requires precise articulatory timing. Beginners often insert an extra vowel or misarticulate the final /z/ as /s/; maintaining a crisp /ɪ/ before the final /z/ and avoiding vowel-epenthesis helps clarity.
Does the plural -es in 'prizes' affect pronunciation compared to 'prize'? Yes. In 'prize' the final consonant is /z/ but without the final /ɪz/; in 'prizes' you add the /ɪz/ to form the plural, producing /ˈpraɪzɪz/. The extra syllable adds a subtle, quick 'ih' before the closing voiced z; keep the /z/ voice and avoid devoicing. This is an important distinction in pluralization pronunciation.
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Prize comes from the Latin prerium meaning reward, from prae- ‘in front of, before’ and pretium ‘price, value’. In Middle English, prentise terms and Old French prize evolved into prize in the sense of value or reward. The plural prizes began to be widely used in the 16th century as contests and examinations became popular, and rewards were offered for winners. The word also entered philosophical and legal language, distinguishing objects of value (prize) from ransoms or penalties. The noun prize repeatedly shifted to include figurative meanings, such as ‘things valued’ or ‘objects of desire.’ The verb form prize (to prize something) developed from the same root, meaning to prize or value highly, reflecting both material rewards and intrinsic worth. First known use in English dates to the late 14th century; prize as the set of rewards associated with contests became common by the 1500s. Over time, the plural form prizes consolidated as the natural, everyday reference to multiple award items.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "prizes" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "prizes" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "prizes"
-ses sounds
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