Skip to main content
competition

competition

396 2.3
An event where people or teams compete to win
  • noun
  • /ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃən/
translation icon : concurso
  • The annual science fair features a thrilling competition where students showcase their innovative projects.
  • win a competition
  • an international competition
  • a national competition

And so they go into competitions and it's unfair.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • There are never very many entrants for this competition, and this year there were only four.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Yes, houseguests, the first competition of the season is about to begin.

  • Set high goals, encourage competition and then keep score.

  • Just remember, keep the competition fair and fun, all right?

  • Six weeks ago he won a competition in a computer magazine.

  • I won a poetry competition eight years in a row.

  • Have you won any international competitions?

  • Upon arriving at the lab, the following rules of the competition were explained to the participants.

    Academic text (2008)
  • I take high school students to Tech Wars competitions at two local colleges.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Skaters, please clear the ice in preparation for the pairs competition.

Synonyms

game
vscompetition
1.0

An activity with rules that people play for fun or competition

is a general event word covering serious contests as well as casual play
contest
vscompetition
2.4

A competition between people or groups to win something

is the more general word used for the same type of event
tournament
vscompetition
745 1.8

A sports event where teams or players play several games to decide the winner

is the general word for a single event not necessarily a series of games
championship
vscompetition
617 2.5

A competition to find the best team or player in a sport

is a broad event term that may not determine top status or title
match
vscompetition
517 1.4

A game in which two teams or players compete

is a broader word covering many event types not only one-on-one play
challenge
vscompetition
268 2.3

An invitation to compete against someone, for example in a game

is a general event term focusing on the invitation to start an event
trial
vscompetition
78 3.0

A competition to choose people for a team or event

is the general event word that can also mean the final contest rather than selection
duel
vscompetition
38 5.5

A contest between two skilled opponents, for example two teams or candidates

is a general event that can involve many participants or teams rather than only two
match-up
vscompetition
12 3.8

An event that pairs two sides, like sports teams, to compete

is a general event term not limited to specific pairings or comparisons
friendly competition
vscompetition
7 2.8

A contest between people done in a kind, playful way to make each other try harder

is the more neutral event word that can include fierce or friendly rivalry
athletic competition
vscompetition
3 2.7

A contest where athletes compete in sports such as running or jumping

is the general event word that covers both sports and non athletic activities
intense competition
vscompetition
3 3.7

A strong struggle between people to get the same job or prize

is the general event word implying rivalry that may be less severe
athletic contest
vscompetition
1 2.5

A competition where people or teams compete in sports

is a general event term that also applies to non athletic activities
endurance contest
vscompetition
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A competition that tests how long people can keep going in hard conditions

is the general event term that does not focus specifically on duration testing
high-stakes competition
vscompetition
6.0

A competition with very large risks or rewards

is the general event term used also for low risk or low reward cases
bidding contest
vscompetition
3.7

A competition where people or companies offer higher prices to win something like at an auction

is the general event word that usually refers to sports or skill based events
compo
vscompetition
  • Jargon
8.6

A contest where people send creative work like songs or art to be judged

is the more formal event term that applies across many judged formats
concurso
vscompetition
  • Philippine
9.1

A competition where people try to win a prize

is the general event word in English while this one is regional or language specific

Antonyms

150 4.0

Working together with others to reach a shared goal

Compounds

A contest between people done in a kind, playful way to make each other try harder

A contest where athletes compete in sports such as running or jumping

A strong struggle between people to get the same job or prize

Businesses try to get customers by lowering their prices

9.9

A person who gets a government job by passing a competitive exam

3.7

A contest where people try to get the highest Duolingo score or finish the most lessons

A competition with very large risks or rewards

How Serious

championship
617 2.5
tournament
745 1.8
competition
396 2.3
match
517 1.4
game
1.0

Surface Forms

competition singular
competitions plural

Morphology

competition = compete (transparent) = compete + ition

Built from the verb 'compete' with the standard noun-forming suffix; the meaning 'an event or contest' is the prototypical nominalization.

Etymology

The word competition comes from Latin parts com- 'together' and petere 'to seek', the same root as compete. A competition is therefore an event where people come together to try to win the same prize.