booby prize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Humorous
Quick answer
What does “booby prize” mean?
A humorous or mock prize given to the person who comes last in a competition or contest.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A humorous or mock prize given to the person who comes last in a competition or contest.
Any undesirable or worthless award given for poor performance; can also refer metaphorically to an unwanted or negative outcome in a situation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in meaning and register. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Equally humorous and informal in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English, but well-understood in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “booby prize” in a Sentence
[Subject] wins/receives/gets the booby prizeThe booby prize for [something] goes to [recipient]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used humorously in internal team-building events for the worst sales performance.
Academic
Extremely rare. Not used in formal contexts.
Everyday
Common in social games, quizzes, fundraisers, and light-hearted competitions among friends or colleagues.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “booby prize”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “booby prize”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “booby prize”
- Using it in formal contexts (e.g., 'He received the booby prize for academic excellence' is contradictory).
- Confusing it with 'booby trap' (a hidden explosive device).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Similar, but a consolation prize is often given to all non-winners to make them feel better, while a booby prize is specifically and humorously for the person or team in last place.
No, it is inherently informal and humorous. Using it in a serious context would be inappropriate and could cause offence.
'Booby' dates back to the late 16th century, meaning a stupid person, possibly from the Spanish 'bobo' (fool). The 'booby prize' is the prize for the 'fool' or loser.
It depends entirely on context and tone. Among friends in a light-hearted game, it's fine. In a competitive or professional setting where someone might feel humiliated, it could be offensive.
A humorous or mock prize given to the person who comes last in a competition or contest.
Booby prize is usually informal, humorous in register.
Booby prize: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbuːbi ˌpraɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbubi ˌpraɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't be the booby prize winner.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'booby' (a silly bird or a fool) getting a 'prize' for being last. The image of a foolish-looking bird with a comically small trophy helps remember the meaning.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAILURE IS A RIDICULOUS REWARD / LAST PLACE IS A MOCK HONOUR
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'booby prize' be MOST appropriate?