competitive
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for competitive, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to or involving competition.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use competitive
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin competitus (past participle of competere) plus the adjective ending -ive.
Full origin of competitive →Frequently asked questions
What does “competitive” mean?
The word “competitive” means relating to or involving competition. In plain terms, either eager to win, involved in a contest, or offering good value compared to rivals.
How do you pronounce “competitive”?
“Competitive” is pronounced kuhm-PEHT-ih-tihv (/kəmˈpɛt.ə.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “competitive” in a sentence?
Here is “competitive” used in a sentence: “The industry is highly competitive, with dozens of rival brands.”
What part of speech is “competitive”?
“Competitive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “competitive” come from?
The word “competitive” comes from Latin. From Latin competitus (past participle of competere) plus the adjective ending -ive.
Is “competitive” a common word?
“Competitive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “competitive” have?
“Competitive” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to or involving competition.
Is being competitive a good or bad thing?
Competitiveness is neither inherently good nor bad — it depends on how it shows. A healthy competitive drive fuels effort, improvement, and ambition. Taken too far, it can turn aggressive or harm relationships and teamwork. In business, "competitive" is usually positive, meaning able to rival others well.
What does "competitive" mean when describing prices?
A competitive price is one low enough to rival what others charge, making a product or service attractive against the alternatives. Calling a salary, quote, or market "competitive" means it stands up well in comparison — good enough to compete for customers, staff, or business.
What is an example of being competitive?
A runner pushing to beat their rivals, a company pricing goods to undercut others, or a student striving for the top grade are all competitive. The common thread is a drive to win, outperform, or measure up against others in some form of contest.