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noun B1 Intermediate Common

competitor

kuhm-PEHT-ih-t

Competitor (noun) means a person or organization competing against another for the same goal. Example: “The company slashed prices to undercut its biggest competitor.”

noun
1
A person or organization competing against another for the same goal.
"The company slashed prices to undercut its biggest competitor."
"Only three competitors made it to the final round."

How to use competitor

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA rival — someone or something trying to beat you at the same thing.

Common pairings
main competitor beat a competitor rival competitor

Word forms

competitors plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The company slashed prices to undercut its biggest _____.

Etymology

From Latin competitor, from competere, "to strive together."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for competitor

See all rhymes for competitor →

Frequently asked questions

What does “competitor” mean?

The word “competitor” means a person or organization competing against another for the same goal. In plain terms, a rival — someone or something trying to beat you at the same thing.

How do you pronounce “competitor”?

“Competitor” is pronounced kuhm-PEHT-ih-t (/kəmˈpɛt.ɪ.tɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “competitor” in a sentence?

Here is “competitor” used in a sentence: “The company slashed prices to undercut its biggest competitor.”

What part of speech is “competitor”?

“Competitor” is a noun.

Where does the word “competitor” come from?

The word “competitor” comes from Latin. From Latin competitor, from competere, "to strive together.".

Is “competitor” a common word?

“Competitor” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

What is the difference between a competitor and a rival?

A competitor is anyone or any organization competing for the same goal, such as a customer, prize, or market share, and the term is common in neutral business and sports contexts. A rival implies a stronger, often personal or long-standing sense of opposition, whereas competitor is the broader, more formal word.

Is competitor used in business as well as sports?

Yes, competitor is used equally in both contexts. In business it refers to a company competing for the same customers or market, while in sports it refers to a person or team competing in the same event.

What is a common collocation with competitor?

Competitor is frequently paired with words like "main competitor," "direct competitor," "closest competitor," and "key competitor" to describe the most significant rival in a market or contest.

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