american book award: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “american book award” mean?
A literary prize awarded to American authors, established to recognize outstanding literary achievement in the United States.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A literary prize awarded to American authors, established to recognize outstanding literary achievement in the United States.
A prestigious annual award series, often associated with the National Book Foundation before being succeeded by the National Book Award, honouring authors of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and other categories. It serves as a significant indicator of literary merit and can enhance a writer's reputation and sales.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This is a term specific to the American literary landscape. In British English, no direct equivalent award exists under this name, though the term is understood in literary circles. British speakers might more commonly refer to their own awards (e.g., The Booker Prize).
Connotations
In American English, it connotes national literary prestige and tradition. In British English, it is recognized as a foreign, specifically American, literary honour.
Frequency
The term is significantly more frequent in American English within literary, academic, and publishing discourse. It is low-frequency in general British English.
Grammar
How to Use “american book award” in a Sentence
[Author/Book] won the American Book Award for [Title/Category].The American Book Award was presented to [Author].[Author] is an American Book Award laureate.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “american book award” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The novel was American Book Awarded in 1985.
- He hopes to be American Book Awarded for his latest work.
American English
- The novel American Book Awarded in 1985.
- He hopes to American Book Award for his latest work.
adjective
British English
- She is an American-Book-Award-winning novelist.
- The American-Book-Award- nominated author gave a reading.
American English
- She is an American Book Award-winning novelist.
- The American Book Award-nominated author gave a reading.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Publishing houses may highlight an author's American Book Award win in marketing materials and catalogue copy.
Academic
Frequently cited in literary criticism, author biographies, and studies of 20th-century American literature.
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation except among avid readers or in book clubs discussing acclaimed authors.
Technical
Used precisely in literary award histories, bibliographic records, and author authority files.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “american book award”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “american book award”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “american book award”
- Incorrect: 'She won an American book award.' (Using lowercase for the proper noun)
- Incorrect: 'American Book Awards' (Using plural for the singular award name unless referring to the ceremony or multiple years)
- Incorrect article: 'He got the American Book Award.' (While sometimes used, 'won the...' or 'received the...' is more typical than 'got').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related but distinct. The American Book Awards were the name given to the National Book Awards from 1980 to 1986. After 1987, the name reverted to the National Book Awards. So, the American Book Award refers to that specific period within the broader history of the National Book Awards.
During its existence (1980-1986), the American Book Awards were administered by the National Book Foundation, which still administers the National Book Awards today.
The award was specifically for American authors, as the name indicates. The eligibility criteria focused on authors who were U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Winning signifies peer and critical recognition at the highest national level, often leading to increased book sales, greater public and academic attention, and enhanced career opportunities for the author.
A literary prize awarded to American authors, established to recognize outstanding literary achievement in the United States.
American book award is usually formal in register.
American book award: in British English it is pronounced /əˈmɛr.ɪ.kən bʊk əˈwɔːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈmɛr.ə.kən bʊk əˈwɔrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's no American Book Award winner. (A colloquial way to say something is not of the highest literary quality.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the ABA: America's Big Achievement for Books. The award is for American Books of high Accord.
Conceptual Metaphor
LITERARY MERIT IS A SEAL OF APPROVAL (The award 'stamps' a book as officially excellent.)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'American Book Award' MOST precisely used?