winner
WIH-nuh
Winner (noun) means a person, team, or thing that wins a contest, competition, or prize. Example: “The winner of the baking contest received a golden trophy and a big hug.”
noun
1
A person, team, or thing that wins a contest, competition, or prize.
"The winner of the baking contest received a golden trophy and a big hug."
"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.
"His late header was the winner, and the crowd went wild."
"Nobody expected the winner to come from a shot taken so far out."
"She scored the winner in the final minute of the match."
How to use winner
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhoever (or whatever) comes out on top.
Common pairings
clear winner
declare a winner
a real winner
and the winner is...
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Word forms
- Plural
- winners
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The _____ of the baking contest received a golden trophy and a big hug.
Etymology
From Middle English wynnere, built from win plus the agent suffix -er.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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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