What does prized mean?
Prized means highly valued, cherished, or regarded as especially important. It is commonly used for possessions, people, qualities, and achievements that someone considers especially valuable: a prized photograph, a trusted adviser, or a highly prized collection. The word often implies more than ordinary usefulness, suggesting emotional attachment, esteem, or a determination to preserve something. Although “prized” sounds formal, it appears widely in journalism, historical writing, institutional language, and everyday speech. It can also function as the past tense and past participle of the verb “prize,” as in “the committee prized originality.” Related expressions such as “prized possession” and “prized asset” emphasize value and can be used literally or figuratively. Overall, “prized” is useful when describing something that is not merely useful or appreciated, but actively treasured and treated as valuable.
Regarded as being of great value, importance, or affection.
"The university preserved the gifted professor's prized notebooks."
Often used before a noun, but it can also occur predicatively, as in “The old ring was highly prized.”
To regard or treat something as highly valuable.
"Collectors prized the early edition for its historical significance."
This is the past tense and past participle of the verb “prize.”
Prized began with the idea of a valuable prize, then became a way of saying that something is deeply valued and worth protecting.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prized come from?
Prized derives from “prize,” which entered Middle English from Old French pris, a word ultimately derived from Latin pretium, meaning “price” or “value.” The noun originally referred to something valuable, especially a reward or possession of consequence, while the verb developed the sense of regarding something as valuable. The form “prized” follows the ordinary English pattern of adding -ed to the verb, and it also became established as an adjective meaning “highly valued.”
Related word forms
How prized is actually used
Prized is common in formal and elevated writing. It often conveys stronger affection or esteem than simply valued, particularly when describing possessions, people, achievements, or traditions.
Easily confused with prized
A prize is the reward or valuable object received, while prized describes something regarded as highly valuable.
In British English, prised can mean levered open, while in some varieties it is also a variant spelling of prized.