competitive
kuhm-PEHT-ih-tihv
Competitive (adj) means relating to or involving competition. Example: “The industry is highly competitive, with dozens of rival brands.”
adj
1
Relating to or involving competition.
"The industry is highly competitive, with dozens of rival brands."
"Competitive sports teach children how to win and lose gracefully."
"She loves the competitive atmosphere at the national swimming trials."
2
Having a strong drive to win or do better than others.
"He's always been a competitive person, even in board games."
"My competitive sister refuses to stop playing until she wins."
"Being competitive pushed him to train harder than everyone else on the team."
3
Priced or offered attractively compared to rivals.
"The store offers competitive prices on electronics."
"The local garage offers a competitive rate for an annual service."
"To attract new customers, the cafe kept its coffee prices competitive."
How to use competitive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither eager to win, involved in a contest, or offering good value compared to rivals.
Common pairings
competitive price
competitive advantage
highly competitive
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more competitive
- Superlative
- most competitive
Fill the gap
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The industry is highly _____, with dozens of rival brands.
Etymology
From Latin competitus (past participle of competere) plus the adjective ending -ive.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
noncompetitive
Related words
Rhymes for competitive
See all rhymes for 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.
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