Reward
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ɹɪˈwÉ”Ëd/
- Rhymes: -É”Ë(r)d
Origin 1
From Middle English reward, rewarde, from Anglo-Norman reward ("reward") (compare Old French reguard, whence modern French regard, and also English regard through Middle French), from rewarder ("to reward") (compare Old French reguarder), from re- + warder ("to guard, keep") (compare Old French guarder); the Anglo-Norman forms are derived from Old Northern French variants of Old French, ultimately of (Frankish) origin. Cf. regard, warden, guard. See more below.
Displaced native Middle English lean ("reward"), from Old English lēan ("reward"); Middle English meed, mede ("reward, meed, recompense"), from Old English mēd ("reward, meed, recompense"); Middle English schipe, schepe ("reward, wage"), from Old English scipe ("wages, payment, reward").
Full definition of reward
Noun
reward
(plural rewards)- Something of value given in return for an act.For catching the thief, you'll get a nice reward.
- A prize promised for a certain deed or catch''The rewards for bringing in badly wanted criminals are printed on 'dead or alive' posters
- The result of an action, whether good or bad.Is this the reward I get for telling the truth: to be put in jail?
- 2013, January 22, Phil McNulty, Aston Villa 2-1 Bradford (3-4), Christian Benteke's first-half goal was just reward for Villa's undoubted superiority but Bradford managed to survive without further damage until half-time, before scoring the goal that takes them to Wembley for the first time since 1996.
Synonyms
- (something of value given in return for an act) payment, recompense
- (prize promised for a certain deed or catch) bounty
- (result of an action) consequence
Antonyms
Origin 2
From Middle English rewarden, from Anglo-Norman rewarder ("to reward") (compare Old French reguarder, whence modern French regarder, also English regard through Middle French), from re- + warder ("to guard, keep"), from Old Northern French, from Frankish *wardÅn ("to guard, keep"), from Proto-Germanic *wardÅnÄ… ("to guard, defend"), from Proto-Indo-European *ewerwÇ-, *werwÇ-, *wrÅ«- ("to cover, shelter, defend, guard, shut"). Cognate with Old Saxon wardÅn ("to guard, provide for, protect"), Old English weardian ("to watch, guard, keep"), Old High German wartÄ“n ("to watch, keep, look after"). More at ward.
Verb
- (obsolete, transitive) To give (something) as a reward.
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book IV:And there syr Marhaus dyd so nobly that he was renomed, & had somtyme doune fourty knyghtes, and soo the serklet of gold was rewarded hym.
- Bible, 1 Sam. xxiv. 17Thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
- (transitive) To give a reward to or for.Why are you rewarding the child for misbehaving?
- (transitive) To recompense.''Decorations are meant to reward the most meritous acts and services
- 2011, September 2, Phil McNulty, Bulgaria 0-3 England, The Italian opted for Bolton's Cahill alongside captain John Terry - and his decision was rewarded with a goal after only 13 minutes. Bulgaria gave a hint of defensive frailties to come when they failed to clear Young's corner, and when Gareth Barry found Cahill in the box he applied the finish past Nikolay Mihaylov.