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noun A2 Elementary Very common

winner

WIH-nuh

Winner (noun) means a person, team, or thing that wins a contest, competition, or prize. Example: “The winner of the marathon crossed the line in just under three hours.”

noun
1
A person, team, or thing that wins a contest, competition, or prize.
"The winner of the marathon crossed the line in just under three hours."
"This new phone is a real winner with critics."
2
A single point, goal, or shot that decides a contest.
"She scored the winner in the final minute of the match."

How to Use Winner

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWhoever (or whatever) comes out on top.

Common pairings
clear winner declare a winner a real winner and the winner is...

Word Forms

winners plural

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Test yourself on “winner” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ of the marathon crossed the line in just under three hours.

Etymology

From Middle English wynnere, built from win plus the agent suffix -er.

Origin: Middle English

Related Words

Rhymes for winner

See all rhymes for winner →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “winner” mean?

The word “winner” means a person, team, or thing that wins a contest, competition, or prize. In plain terms, whoever (or whatever) comes out on top.

How do you pronounce “winner”?

“Winner” is pronounced WIH-nuh (/ˈwɪnɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “winner” in a sentence?

Here is “winner” used in a sentence: “The winner of the marathon crossed the line in just under three hours.”

What is the opposite of “winner”?

The opposite of “winner” — its antonyms — is loser.

What part of speech is “winner”?

“Winner” is a noun.

Where does the word “winner” come from?

The word “winner” comes from Middle English. From Middle English wynnere, built from win plus the agent suffix -er.

Is “winner” a common word?

“Winner” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “winner” have?

“Winner” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person, team, or thing that wins a contest, competition, or prize.

What is the difference between a winner and a champion?

A winner is anyone who wins a particular contest or prize. A champion is a winner who holds the top position, often after a series of contests or a whole season, and keeps the title until beaten. Every champion is a winner, but a single win does not always make you a champion.

What is the opposite of a winner?

The opposite is a loser, the person, team, or thing that fails to win. In some contexts a runner-up, who finishes second, is the near opposite. Where a winner takes the prize or top place, a loser falls short of it, though the term can sound harsher than intended.

Can winner describe something other than a person?

Yes. A winner can be a team, an animal such as a racehorse, or even an idea or product that succeeds, as in that design is a real winner. Used informally, calling something a winner simply means it is excellent or likely to succeed, not that it won a formal contest.

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