Confusing words explained
“price” vs “prize” — What’s the Difference?
Prize (reward) and price (cost) are spelled differently and mean different things.
Key takeaway
Quick Difference: price vs prize
Prize (reward) and price (cost) are spelled differently and mean different things.
price vs prize Side-by-Side Comparison
Meaning of price
The amount of money required to purchase something; the cost.
How much money you need to pay to buy something.
Use 'price' for the cost of goods. Use 'cost' for broader expenses. 'At the price of' = at the expense of.
- The price of milk has increased this month.
- What is the price of that blue shirt?
Meaning of prize
An award or reward given for winning a competition or for merit.
Something valuable won in a contest or given as a reward.
Use as noun: 'win a prize'. Avoid confusing with price (cost).
- She won first prize in the science competition.
- The prize for the art contest is a scholarship.
Usage Notes & Nuance
prize: Common in sports, lotteries, and academic competitions worldwide.
How to Remember the Difference
Price = what you pay (with C for Cost); prize = what you win (with Z for ze winning).
Common Mistakes with price and prize
Mistake with price
Wrong: The price of apples are high.
Correct: The price of apples is high.
'Price' is singular; use 'is' not 'are'.
Mistake with price
Wrong: What is the price for this item?
Correct: What is the price of this item?
Use 'of' not 'for' in standard 'price of' structure.
Mistake with prize
Wrong: He won the first prize.
Correct: He won first prize.
Native English uses 'first prize' without 'the' in most contexts.
Mistake with prize
Wrong: The prize for the competition is 5000 pounds money.
Correct: The prize for the competition is 5000 pounds.
Use 'prize money' as one term, or just the amount; avoid doubling 'money'.
Practice Quiz: price or prize?
Choose the word that best completes each real example sentence.
Question 1
The _____ of milk has increased this month.
Question 2
What is the _____ of that blue shirt?
Question 3
She won first _____ in the science competition.
Pick at least one answer, then press Check answers to see how you did.
You scored 0 out of 3
Frequently Asked Questions About price vs prize
What’s the difference between “price” and “prize”?
Prize (reward) and price (cost) are spelled differently and mean different things.
When should I use “price”?
Use 'price' for the cost of goods. Use 'cost' for broader expenses. 'At the price of' = at the expense of.
When should I use “prize”?
Use as noun: 'win a prize'. Avoid confusing with price (cost).
How can I remember price vs prize?
Price = what you pay (with C for Cost); prize = what you win (with Z for ze winning).
Is it “price” or “prize” in example sentences?
Use the quiz above to test the pair with real example sentences from the available word data.