What does prizewinner mean?
Prizewinner is a common noun denoting a person who has won a prize or competitive award. It is especially associated with prestigious distinctions such as literary prizes, scientific awards, music prizes, and the Nobel Prizes. The word commonly appears before a person's name or profession: 'a Nobel prizewinner,' 'a celebrated sports prizewinner,' or 'a prizewinning researcher.' Although 'prizewinning' is the usual adjective, 'prizewinner' may also function attributively when identifying a person. Its connotation is generally neutral and favorable, emphasizing recognition, achievement, and success in competition. It can be more specific than simply 'winner' because it identifies the reward that established the person's distinction, while often implying that the achievement was officially judged or recognized. Both British and American English use the word, with minor variations in spacing and pronunciation.
nounA person who has won a prize, especially a competitive award or recognition.
- A person who wins a prize or competitive award.
"The young scientist became a celebrated prizewinner for her research."
"Each prizewinner received a medal and a place at the closing ceremony."
"The novel's author was already a famous prizewinner before publishing her second book."
The regular plural takes the ending -s; the plural form is frequently used attributively.
"The two prizewinners jointly accepted the award."
Prizewinner is a transparent compound: in one word, it names both the reward and the person who receives it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of prizewinner
Prizewinner is a transparent English compound formed from 'prize' and 'winner.' Prize entered Middle English through Anglo-French and ultimately Latin pretium, meaning 'reward' or 'price,' while winner derives from Old English winnan, meaning 'to strive, contend, or fight.' The compound arose in modern English, and related forms such as price and the French prix continue the same Latin tradition.
Related word forms
How prizewinner is actually used
The term is neutral and commonly used in journalism, biographies, and formal writing. It is often written as one word, although the two-word form 'prize winner' is also used. The related adjective 'prizewinning' is frequently hyphenated before a noun, as in 'prizewinning research.'