compete
kuhm-PEET
Compete (verb) means to try to win or do better than others in a contest, market, or rivalry. Example: “Dozens of runners competed in the marathon.”
verb
1
To try to win or do better than others in a contest, market, or rivalry.
"Dozens of runners competed in the marathon."
"Small businesses struggle to compete with large chains on price."
"Both schools compete for the same trophy every spring."
How to use compete
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo try to beat others or hold your own against them in some kind of contest.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
compete against
compete for
compete in a tournament
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- competes
- Past tense
- competed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Dozens of runners _____ in the marathon.
Etymology
From Latin competere, "to strive together, to be fit for," from com- ("with") plus petere ("to seek" or "aim for").
Related words
Rhymes for compete
See all rhymes for compete →Frequently asked questions
What does “compete” mean?
The word “compete” means to try to win or do better than others in a contest, market, or rivalry. In plain terms, to try to beat others or hold your own against them in some kind of contest.
How do you pronounce “compete”?
“Compete” is pronounced kuhm-PEET (/kəmˈpiːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “compete” in a sentence?
Here is “compete” used in a sentence: “Dozens of runners competed in the marathon.”
What is the opposite of “compete”?
The opposite of “compete” — its antonyms — is cooperate.
What part of speech is “compete”?
“Compete” is a verb.
Where does the word “compete” come from?
The word “compete” comes from Latin. From Latin competere, "to strive together, to be fit for," from com- ("with") plus petere ("to seek" or "aim for").
Is “compete” a common word?
“Compete” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between compete with and compete against?
Both are correct and largely interchangeable when talking about rivals: you can compete with or compete against another team or company. Compete against puts slightly more emphasis on direct opposition, while compete with is the more common choice in business contexts, as in firms competing with each other in a market.
Should you say compete in or compete for?
Use compete in for the event or arena, as in compete in a race, a tournament, or a market. Use compete for when naming what is at stake, as in compete for a prize, a job, or customers.
What is the difference between compete and contend?
Compete is the general verb for trying to win or do better than others in a contest, market, or rivalry. Contend is more formal and often suggests a serious challenger, as in contending for the title; it also has a separate meaning of asserting or arguing a point.
What is the noun form of compete?
The activity is competition and a person or organisation that competes is a competitor. The related adjective is competitive, describing someone eager to win or a situation involving rivalry.
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