booker prize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Cultural, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “booker prize” mean?
A prestigious annual literary award for the best original novel written in English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A prestigious annual literary award for the best original novel written in English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland.
A major cultural institution and brand in the literary world, often considered one of the highest honours for English-language fiction writers, known for generating significant media attention and boosting sales for winners and nominees.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British usage, it is a well-known and culturally significant term. In American usage, it is recognized primarily within literary, academic, and publishing circles; the general public may be less familiar. The award was originally restricted to UK/Irish/Commonwealth authors, but opened to all English-language novels in 2014, increasing its American relevance.
Connotations
UK: National pride, literary heritage, cultural event. US: International literary prestige, sometimes viewed as a counterpart to the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK media, especially during award season (announcement of longlist, shortlist, winner). Frequency in US media correlates with American authors being nominated or winning.
Grammar
How to Use “booker prize” in a Sentence
[Author] wins the Booker Prize for [Novel].The Booker Prize was awarded to [Author].[Novel] is on the Booker Prize shortlist.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “booker prize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The novel was Bookered in 1998.
- Many authors dream of being Bookered.
American English
- Her career was made when she was Bookered.
- It's rare for a debut novelist to be Bookered.
adjective
British English
- A Booker-winning author
- A Booker-shortlisted novel
American English
- A Booker-nominated writer
- The Booker-longlisted titles
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The Booker Prize win led to a 1000% sales increase for the author's backlist.
Academic
Her thesis examines postcolonial identity in Booker Prize-winning novels from 1980-2000.
Everyday
Have you read any of the books on this year's Booker shortlist?
Technical
The judging panel's composition is governed by the Booker Prize Foundation's statutes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “booker prize”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “booker prize”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “booker prize”
- Incorrect: 'He got the Booker Prize.' Preferred: 'He won/was awarded the Booker Prize.'
- Incorrect: 'Booker prize' (lowercase 'p'). Correct: 'Booker Prize' (both words capitalized as a proper noun).
- Incorrect: 'Booker Price'. Correct: 'Booker Prize'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Booker Prize (formerly Man Booker Prize) is awarded for a single novel written in English and published in the UK/Ireland. The International Booker Prize is a separate, annual award for a single book of fiction translated into English and published in the UK/Ireland.
Yes, since a rule change in 2014, any novel written in English and published in the UK is eligible, regardless of the author's nationality. American authors like George Saunders (2017) and Paul Beatty (2016) have won.
As of 2024, the winner receives £50,000. Each of the six shortlisted authors receives £2,500.
Booker McConnell was a British food wholesaler and trading company that sponsored the prize from its inception in 1969 until 2002. The prize was named after the company.
A prestigious annual literary award for the best original novel written in English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland.
Booker prize is usually formal, cultural, academic, journalistic in register.
Booker prize: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʊkə praɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbʊkər praɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's no Booker Prize winner (used to dismiss something as not being of high literary quality).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A BOOK is the top prize. BOOK-er Prize.
Conceptual Metaphor
LITERARY ACHIEVEMENT IS A SUMMIT / THE CROWNING GLORY (e.g., 'the pinnacle of literary success', 'crowned with the Booker').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key recent change to the Booker Prize rules?