nobel prize
C1Formal, Academic, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A set of prestigious annual international awards, established by Alfred Nobel's will, for outstanding contributions to humanity in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences.
An accolade symbolizing the highest achievement in its field, often used metaphorically to describe any very prestigious award or recognition.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always capitalized. Refers to the specific awards; when used as a modifier, it is hyphenated (Nobel Prize-winning). The institution awarding it is the Nobel Assembly or Nobel Committee.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major spelling or usage differences. Pronunciation of 'Nobel' may follow national patterns.
Connotations
Equally prestigious and identical in reference in both cultures.
Frequency
Similar high frequency in formal/academic contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SUBJ wins the Nobel Prize for OBJThe Nobel Prize is awarded to OBJSUBJ is a Nobel Prize winnerSUBJ received the Nobel Prize in OBJVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Nobel Prize material (for potential winners)”
- “a Nobel Prize waiting to happen”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in references to corporate-funded research winning prizes or the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.
Academic
Core reference, used frequently to denote peak achievement in scientific and literary fields.
Everyday
Used generally to refer to a very high achievement, e.g., 'She deserves a Nobel Prize for patience.'
Technical
Specific reference in fields like chemistry, physics, medicine; includes discussion of laureates' work.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She was nobel-prized for her discovery.
American English
- He Nobel-prized his way into the history books.
adverb
British English
- The research was Nobel Prize-worthy conducted.
American English
- She worked Nobel Prize-worthy on the project.
adjective
British English
- She is a Nobel Prize-winning scientist.
- A Nobel Prize-level discovery.
American English
- He is a Nobel Prize-winning author.
- Nobel Prize-calibre research.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Marie Curie won a Nobel Prize.
- The Nobel Prize is a famous award.
- She hopes to win the Nobel Prize for Medicine one day.
- The Nobel Prize winner gave a speech.
- After decades of research, the team was finally awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
- Winning the Nobel Prize brought her international acclaim.
- His groundbreaking theory on quantum entanglement made him a shoo-in for the Nobel Prize in Physics.
- The Nobel Prize committee's decision often sparks debate within the academic community.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine Alfred NOBEL ringing a big BELL (sounds like 'bel') to announce the winners of his PRIZE.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PINNACLE OF ACHIEVEMENT IS A NOBEL PRIZE (e.g., 'the Nobel Prize of architecture').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation of 'prize' as 'приз' alone; the standard term is 'Нобелевская премия'. 'Премия' is the correct word for this type of award.
- Do not confuse with 'Noble Prize' (a common misspelling).
Common Mistakes
- Writing 'Noble Prize' (incorrect) instead of 'Nobel Prize'.
- Using lowercase ('nobel prize').
- Incorrect preposition: 'Nobel Prize of Chemistry' instead of 'Nobel Prize in Chemistry'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a category for the Nobel Prize?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The prizes were established by the will of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite.
Six: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences (the latter added in 1968).
No, according to the statutes of the Nobel Foundation, a prize cannot be revoked once awarded.
Laureates receive a gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary award which varies from year to year.