Prized

Prized is an English adjective meaning highly valued or cherished. It describes objects, people, or achievements that are regarded as especially important or desirable. The term is commonly used in phrases such as prized possession, prized heirloom, or prized achievement. As the past participle of the verb prize, prized can also describe something that has been valued or esteemed by someone or by society.

The word prize has its roots in historical forms meaning to value or esteem. In English, prize as a verb entered usage in the Middle English period, borrowed from Old French priser or a related form. The participle prized developed from that verb, giving rise to the adjective sense of something that has been or is highly valued.

Usage notes: Prized emphasizes strong positive esteem and is typically used in a favorable context. It can be applied to tangible items—such as a prized collection of coins—or to abstract concepts, such as a prized reputation or a prized opportunity. The term is versatile and can be used attributively (a prized item) or predicatively (the item was prized by collectors).

Related terms include cherished, treasured, valued, precious, and esteemed. While all convey high worth, prized often implies personal or sentimental value in addition to market or intrinsic value.

See also: prize, cherished, treasured, valued, precious.