English Word: Reward
Pronunciation: In Received Pronunciation (UK), it’s /ɹɪˈwɔːd/ or /ɹəˈwɔːd/, with stress on the second syllable (ri-WARD). In General American (US), it’s /ɹɪˈwɔːrd/, /ɹəˈwɔːrd/, or /ɹiˈwɔːrd/. The ‘r’ sound is key, and it rhymes with words like “board” or “award.”
Etymology
The word “reward” comes from Middle English reward, borrowed from Old French rewarder meaning “to look at again” or “to guard,” from re- (again) + warder (to guard). It has Germanic roots via Frankish, related to words like “guard” and “warden.” It replaced Old English terms like mēd (meed) and lēan.
Meanings
As a noun, “reward” means something valuable given in return for a good act, like money or praise. It can also refer to a prize for catching someone or the result of an action (good or bad).
- Examples: A cash reward for lost property; the sweet reward of hard work.
As a verb, it means to give something valuable in return (transitive: reward someone for something) or to serve as recompense.
- Examples: The teacher rewarded the students; Patience rewards those who wait.
Morphology and Grammar Notes
“Reward” is both a countable noun (rewards) and a transitive verb. Noun plural: rewards. Verb forms: rewards (3rd person), rewarding (present participle), rewarded (past). No irregular forms. It’s often used in positive contexts but can imply consequences in phrases like “reap the rewards.”
Synonyms, Antonyms, and Common Combinations
Synonyms (noun): prize, bounty, recompense, payment.
Synonyms (verb): compensate, honor, repay.
Antonyms: punishment, penalty.
Common combinations: reward system, just rewards, financial reward, reward someone with; bounty/reward poster.
Sentence Examples
- Simple: The dog got a treat as a reward.
- Medium: She received a reward for finding the lost wallet.
- Complex: After years of dedication, the scientist finally reaped the rewards of her groundbreaking research, earning international acclaim.
Interesting Facts
Historically, “reward” evolved from ideas of “guarding” or “looking back,” linking to “regard” as a doublet. In modern culture, it’s tied to reward programs in video games (e.g., loot boxes) and psychology (dopamine as a brain’s “reward” chemical). Fun fact: In medieval times, rewards were often land grants for knights’ service.
Cultural and Contextual Features
In English-speaking cultures, rewards motivate behavior—from employee bonuses in business to “Employee of the Month” in workplaces. In literature, like fairy tales, heroes get rewards (e.g., “happily ever after”). Contextually, it’s common in motivational speeches: “The reward is worth the effort.”
Tips to Learn “Reward” Easier
- Associate it with “award” (similar root and meaning).
- Practice by thinking of personal rewards: What rewards you after a workout?
- Use mnemonics: “Re-ward” as re-guarding your efforts with value.
- Listen to podcasts on productivity to hear it in context.
Mini-Tasks for Practice
- Make a sentence: Create one using “reward” as a verb about helping a friend.
- Find a synonym: List two synonyms and use one in a sentence.
- Antonym challenge: Write a short paragraph contrasting “reward” with “punishment” in a school setting.
- Word combo: Describe a “reward system” for learning English.