Many people often get confused between the words award vs reward. While both involve giving something to someone, they are used in slightly different situations. Understanding the difference can help you use them correctly in everyday English. In this article, we’ll learn about the meanings of reward and award, their differences, and how to use them with easy examples.
Table of Contents
Reward vs Award: Meaning
People often confuse the words award and reward, but they use them in different ways. Both words involve giving something to someone, but the reasons for giving change. People give an award to recognize someone’s achievement, while they give a reward to appreciate good behavior, effort, or returning something lost.
Reward Meaning
People give a reward to someone for good behavior, effort, help, or for finding and returning something valuable. It focuses more on appreciation or compensation rather than formal recognition.
Examples:
- He got a reward for returning the lost wallet.
- The teacher promised a reward to students who complete their homework on time.
- She received a reward for her honesty.
Award Meaning
An award is something that mean people give an award to honor a person’s achievement, skill, or excellence. It is usually formal and often comes in the form of a certificate, medal, trophy, or prize.
Examples:
- She received an award for her excellent performance in the competition.
- The movie won several awards at the film festival.

How to Use Reward vs Award?
On the other hand, use reward when you want to show appreciation for someone’s good behavior, effort, help, or for returning something valuable. It’s more about thanking or compensating someone.
For example:
- He got a reward for finding the lost wallet.
- The teacher promised a reward to students who finish their homework.
You can use award when you want to recognize someone for their achievement, skill, or excellence. It usually comes from an organization, school, or official body.
For example, you can say:
- The school gave her an award for being the best student.
- The film won an award at the festival.
Reward vs Award: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between award and reward is the reason why people give them.
- People give a reward to appreciate someone’s effort, good behavior, help, or for returning something valuable. It’s more about saying thank you or giving something in return.
- People give an award to recognize someone’s achievement, skill, or excellence. It’s usually formal and comes from schools, organizations, or competitions.
Examples of Reward vs Award
- She received an award for being the top student in her class.
- He got a reward for returning the lost wallet.
- The movie won an award at the international film festival.
- The teacher offered a reward to students who finished their homework on time.
- He got an award for his outstanding contribution to science.
- She received a reward for helping her friend during a difficult time.
- The school gave an award to the best athlete of the year.
- The police announced a reward for information about the missing dog.
- The author received an award for her bestselling novel.
- They gave a reward to the volunteer who cleaned up the park.
FAQs About Reward vs Award
An award recognizes someone for their achievement, skill, or excellence. A reward thanks someone for their effort, help, or good behavior. For example:
• Award: She got an award for winning the art competition.
• Reward: He received a reward for returning the lost wallet.
• She received an award for her outstanding performance in the competition.
• The actor won an award for best supporting role.
• The school gives an award to the top student every year.
• He got a reward for returning the lost wallet.
• The teacher promised a reward to students who completed their homework on time.
• Volunteers received a reward for helping clean the park.
You May Also Like
