Definition

Noun: - A humorous or ironic award given to the person or team that finishes last in a competition or contest. It is not a reward for excellence but a lighthearted acknowledgment of the worst performance.

Usage

The term is used to describe a symbolic, often humorous, award for the lowest-ranking participant. It is typically given in a spirit of fun rather than shame. - The annual office quiz has a booby prize for the team with the lowest score. - He came last in the race and was presented with a ridiculous hat as a booby prize.

Advanced Usage

• "To win the booby prize": An idiom meaning to come in last place or to be the least successful in a given situation. It can be used literally or figuratively.
  • If we don't improve our sales, our department will win the booby prize this quarter.

Variants and Related Words

• Booby trap (noun): A hidden trap or device designed to harm or surprise someone. This is a separate compound word with a different meaning.
  • The soldiers were careful to avoid booby traps in the old building.

Synonyms

• Consolation prize: A prize given to someone who has not won, often to make them feel better. While similar, a "consolation prize" is not exclusively for the last-place finisher and lacks the inherently humorous or ironic connotation of a "booby prize."
• Wooden spoon: A term, especially in British English, for an imaginary prize for coming last.

Related Idioms

• "To be awarded the wooden spoon": Similar to winning the booby prize, meaning to finish last.
  • The team was awarded the wooden spoon after losing every match.

Noun

1. a prize given to one who finishes last in a contest