grand prix: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, journalistic, sporting
Quick answer
What does “grand prix” mean?
A major international motor-racing competition, especially as part of a Formula One series.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A major international motor-racing competition, especially as part of a Formula One series.
Any major contest or prize awarded in a competition, particularly one of high prestige or importance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties for the core meaning. The extended meaning (a major prize) is slightly more likely to be encountered in older British texts.
Connotations
Connotes high stakes, international prestige, elite competition, and considerable expense.
Frequency
Moderately frequent in sports reporting and related media. Rare in everyday conversation outside of specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “grand prix” in a Sentence
the [PLACE] Grand Prixto win the Grand Prixto host a Grand PrixGrand Prix racingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grand prix” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He is a former Grand Prix champion.
- The team faced Grand Prix-level scrutiny.
American English
- She drove a Grand Prix car.
- It was a Grand Prix-worthy performance.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in sponsorship or event management contexts (e.g., 'Securing the title sponsorship for the Grand Prix').
Academic
Very rare, except in historical or cultural studies of sport.
Everyday
Typically only when discussing the specific sporting event.
Technical
Central term in motorsport journalism, engineering, and event logistics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grand prix”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grand prix”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grand prix”
- Spelling as 'Grand Pree' or 'Grand Pricks'.
- Using lowercase ('grand prix') when referring to the official title of an event.
- Using it as a countable noun without an article (e.g., 'He won Grand Prix' instead of 'He won the Grand Prix' or 'a Grand Prix').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when it forms the official title of an event (e.g., Belgian Grand Prix). When used more generically ('a grand prix'), it is often seen in lowercase, but capitalisation is still common.
The plural is 'Grands Prix' (following French pluralisation rules) or, more commonly in English, the anglicised 'Grand Prix' is used for both singular and plural (e.g., 'three Grand Prix this season').
Historically, yes—it meant a major prize. Today, this use is rare and often sounds old-fashioned or deliberately grandiose. Its primary, specific meaning is motorsport.
In British English, it's typically /ˌɡrɒ̃ ˈpriː/ ('gron-pree'), with a nasalised 'on' sound. In American English, it's /ˌɡrɑːn ˈpriː/ ('grahn-pree'), with a clear 'ahn' sound.
A major international motor-racing competition, especially as part of a Formula One series.
Grand prix is usually formal, journalistic, sporting in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[It's] not exactly the grand prix.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GRAND (big) + PRIX (prize in French) = a big, prestigious prize race.
Conceptual Metaphor
A COMPETITION IS A WAR (e.g., 'battle for Grand Prix victory').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'grand prix' used in its most common and specific sense?