prize

Where does the word "prize" come from? It comes from Latin pretium, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Prize’s story begins in Latin: pretium meant “value, price.” The same root as 'price' and 'praise'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as pris. A prize taken in war was also 'prise'. It reached English by 1300s as prize. Spelled with z from the 1500s to distinguish it from 'price'. Today, prize means something awarded to a winner.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient pretium "value, price", the same root as 'price' and 'praise'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval pris "reward, value", a prize taken in war was also 'prise'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s prize "a reward", spelled with z from the 1500s to distinguish it from 'price'.