Compete

/kəmˈpiːt/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
1 meaning1 idiom/phrase1 question

Definitions

1

To try to win against others.

/kəmˈpiːt/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To strive to gain something by surpassing another.

The runners competed in the marathon.

💡 Simply: Imagine a race! Competing means trying your best to win against other racers. Like competing in a video game or competing for the best grade in class.

👶 For kids: To try to be the best!

More Examples

2

Businesses compete for customers.

How It's Used

Sports

"The two athletes competed fiercely for the gold medal."

Business

"Several companies are competing for the same contract."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

compete with

To try to be better than someone or something else.

"We compete with other companies for market share."

From Latin *compětere, from com- (together) + petere (to strive for).

The word 'compete' has been used in a similar sense since the 16th century.

Memory tip

Think of 'com' (together) and 'pete' (strive) - striving together.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"to seek together"

compete fiercelycompete forcompete against

Common misspellings

competetivecompettcompteete

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written