consolation prize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Semi-formal to informal. Common in spoken and written English, especially in contexts of competition, awards, and metaphorical use.
Quick answer
What does “consolation prize” mean?
A prize given to someone who did not win a competition, intended to offer comfort for their loss.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A prize given to someone who did not win a competition, intended to offer comfort for their loss.
Any symbolic reward or recognition given to mitigate disappointment, failure, or loss; often something of lesser value than the main prize, given to make a losing competitor feel slightly better.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The concept is universally understood. Slight preference in UK English for the metaphorical use in everyday conversation (e.g., 'It's a bit of a consolation prize').
Connotations
In both varieties, it can imply pity, a hollow victory, or a face-saving gesture. It is rarely seen as a genuinely positive award.
Frequency
Similar high frequency in both. Commonly found in sports journalism, entertainment reporting, and general conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “consolation prize” in a Sentence
[Subject] + receive/win/get + a consolation prize + [for + gerund/noun phrase][Subject] + be + nothing more than + a consolation prize[Subject] + award/give + [Indirect Object] + a consolation prizeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “consolation prize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The judges decided to consolation-prize the youngest competitor with a gift voucher.
American English
- They consolation-prized him with front-row tickets after he lost the audition.
adverb
British English
- He smiled consolation-prizely, knowing he hadn't really won.
American English
- She was awarded the role consolation-prizely, after the first choice dropped out.
adjective
British English
- He had a consolation-prize mentality, always happy with second best.
American English
- She gave him a consolation-prize hug after his team's defeat.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically when a company fails to win a major contract but is offered a smaller, less profitable piece of work.
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing. May appear in social sciences discussing competition, rewards, or psychology of failure.
Everyday
Common when discussing competitions, games, or situations where someone misses out on their primary goal.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields like engineering or hard sciences.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “consolation prize”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “consolation prize”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “consolation prize”
- Misspelling as 'consoliation prize'.
- Using it to describe a genuinely desired secondary prize (misunderstanding the inherent 'second-best' connotation).
- Confusing with 'participation trophy', which is given for mere participation, not specifically for losing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is inherently ambivalent. It is better than nothing and acknowledges effort, but its primary association is with loss and not achieving the main goal, so it is rarely considered a full success.
Yes, very commonly. It is used metaphorically in many areas of life (work, relationships) to describe something received after failing to get what was truly wanted.
A 'booby prize' is a type of consolation prize, but it is often given humorously or sarcastically for the worst performance. A standard consolation prize is for any non-winner and is not necessarily mocking.
Yes, but it is often considered offensive or reductive. Example: 'He started dating her as a consolation prize after his first choice rejected him.' This usage implies the person is not genuinely valued.
A prize given to someone who did not win a competition, intended to offer comfort for their loss.
Consolation prize is usually semi-formal to informal. common in spoken and written english, especially in contexts of competition, awards, and metaphorical use. in register.
Consolation prize: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒnsəˈleɪʃən praɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːnsəˈleɪʃən praɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's the thought that counts (related concept for an unwanted gift)”
- “A pat on the back”
- “A silver lining (a more positive form of consolation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a child who lost a race crying (CONSOLE-ation). The organiser gives them a small toy (PRIZE) to console them. CONSOLE + ATION + PRIZE = a prize for consolation.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOSING IS A WOUND / CONSOLATION IS A BANDAGE. The disappointment of loss is an injury, and the consolation prize is a small, often inadequate, attempt to heal it.
Practice
Quiz
In which scenario is the term 'consolation prize' used most appropriately?