What does prizing mean?
Prizing means regarding something as exceptionally valuable, admirable, or worthy of care. Unlike pricing, which simply concerns a monetary amount, prizing expresses a deep or deliberate valuation and often suggests affection, respect, or strong appreciation. The word is commonly used in formal English: a collector may prize a rare manuscript, a community may prize a historic building, or travelers may prize the chance to explore a region. It can also function as a participial adjective, as in “a highly prized possession.” Although the verb prize is more usual in a simple finite statement—“They prize good design”—prizing often appears in noun phrases or as an adjective describing something regarded as valuable. The word carries a warmer, more personal tone than valuation and can imply importance beyond economic worth.
To value or esteem something highly.
"The organization prizes the trust of its members."
Often used in formal or elevated contexts and frequently expresses non-monetary value.
Regarded as highly valuable or worthy of special esteem.
"The endangered manuscript is a prized part of the library's collection."
Usually appears in the phrase “highly prized” or in similar attributive constructions.
To prize something is to assign it value in a way that money alone cannot capture: you may prize a possession, a person, or an idea without putting a price on it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prizing come from?
Prizing is formed from prize, a word that came into English in the late Middle English period. Prize originally referred to a reward or the act of seizing, drawing on Old French prise and ultimately Latin pretium, a word associated with value and price. The modern sense of “value highly” developed from the earlier idea of something being worthy of a prize.
Related word forms
How prizing is actually used
Prizing is formal and often emotional rather than merely commercial. It implies strong appreciation, esteem, or careful valuation, but does not necessarily indicate that the thing has a high monetary price. The form can function as a verb, as a present participle, or as a participial adjective.
Easily confused with prizing
Prizing means valuing or esteeming something, whereas pricing means assigning or determining a price to it.
Prizing means valuing highly, while prying means making unwelcome inquiries or trying to open something.