contender
gb/kəntˈɛndɚ/ us/kəntˈɛndɚ/
B2
English
induló, versenyző, esélyes, várományos, bajnokesélyes, jelölt, kihívó, versenytárs, szószóló
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is a contender in [competition/field]
Twenty contenders entered the baking competition this year.
Idén húsz induló nevezett a sütőversenyre.
The event attracted contenders from more than a dozen countries.
Az esemény több mint egy tucat országból vonzott indulókat.
She beat every contender in her age group.
Learner examples
He is a contender in the race.
Ő is induló a versenyben.
Many contenders tried to win.
Sok versenyző próbált nyerni.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse contender (a competitor) with contend (the verb meaning compete or argue).
Meaning
person or team that competes
Collocations
a contender in the race
|a contender in the tournament
|a new contender
|a contender emerges
|contenders line up
|a field of contenders
|contenders compete
|face a contender
|a strong contender
|a serious contender
Synonyms
competitor (More general word for anyone who competes.)
|
challenger (Often emphasizes challenging an existing leader or champion.)
Antonyms
non-contender (Someone not considered competitive or likely to win.)
Themes
sports
|competition
|daily_life
Definition
A person or team that competes.
A person, team, or group that competes against others in a contest, competition, or struggle.
NOUN
B2
2
esélyes
B1
várományos
C1
Usage pattern:
a contender for [title/prize/position]
Her film is a contender for best documentary.
A filmje esélyes a legjobb dokumentumfilm díjára.
After two strong quarters, the company became a contender for the market lead.
Két erős negyedév után a vállalat esélyessé vált a piacvezető szerepre.
He’s no longer seen as a contender for the role.
Learner examples
She is a contender for the award.
Ő esélyes a díjra.
Common mistake:
Contender suggests a real possibility of winning; an ordinary candidate may not be competitive.
Meaning
candidate likely to win
Collocations
a contender for the prize
|a contender for the job
|a contender for the award
|a leading contender
|a top contender
|a serious contender
|a strong contender
|a front-runner and contender
|emerge as a contender
|remain a contender
Synonyms
front-runner (Stronger: suggests currently in the lead.)
|
candidate (More neutral: does not necessarily imply a strong chance.)
Antonyms
outsider (Someone not expected to win or succeed.)
Themes
competition
|business
|media
Definition
Someone who has a good chance to win or be chosen.
A person or thing considered to have a real chance of winning, being chosen, or succeeding.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
a contender for the title / a contender for [championship]
With that trade, they look like a real title contender.
Ezzel az átigazolással igazi bajnokesélyesnek tűnnek.
The coach believes the team can develop into contenders within two years.
Az edző szerint a csapat két éven belül bajnokesélyessé fejlődhet.
Injuries knocked them out of contender status.
Learner examples
The team is a contender this year.
A csapat idén bajnokesélyes.
Common mistake:
In sports, contender often implies a top team; it’s stronger than just “participant.”
Meaning
athlete likely to challenge for title
Collocations
a title contender
|a championship contender
|playoff contenders
|a contender for the crown
|legitimate contenders
|a contender this season
|contender status
|become a contender
|remain a contender
|a contender in the division
Synonyms
challenger (Often used for someone who may face the champion directly.)
Antonyms
also-ran (Someone who competes but is not competitive.)
Themes
sports
|competition
Definition
A team or player that could win the championship.
In sports, a player or team considered capable of challenging for a championship or title, especially at a high level.
NOUN
B2
4
jelölt
A2
Usage pattern:
a contender for [office/nomination]
Several contenders entered the race after the senator announced her retirement.
Miután a szenátor bejelentette a visszavonulását, több jelölt is beszállt a versenybe.
The debate helped one contender stand out from the rest.
A vita segített, hogy az egyik jelölt kitűnjön a többiek közül.
Polls show two clear contenders for the nomination.
Learner examples
She is a contender for mayor.
Ő az egyik polgármesterjelölt.
Common mistake:
Contender is common in political news writing; in everyday speech, people often say candidate.
Meaning
person competing for political office
Collocations
a presidential contender
|a contender for the nomination
|a contender for governor
|leading contenders
|rival contenders
|a crowded field of contenders
|party contenders
|a late contender
|a surprise contender
|drop out as a contender
Synonyms
candidate (More common and neutral for someone running for office.)
Antonyms
incumbent (The person currently holding the office (not a direct opposite, but contrasts with someone trying to win it).)
Themes
politics
|news
Definition
A person trying to win an election.
A person competing to win an election or to become a party’s nominee for political office.
NOUN
C1
BUSINESS
5
kihívó
B2
versenytárs
B2
Usage pattern:
[company/product] is a contender in [market/category]
The new model is a contender in the mid-range smartphone market.
Az új modell komoly kihívó a középkategóriás okostelefonok piacán.
After the redesign, the app became a serious contender against larger platforms.
Az áttervezés után az alkalmazás komoly kihívója lett a nagyobb platformoknak.
Analysts don’t see the startup as a contender yet.
Learner examples
This brand is a contender in the market.
Ez a márka komoly versenytárs a piacon.
Common mistake:
With companies/products, contender often implies they could become a leader, not just that they exist in the market.
Meaning
business rival competing strongly
Collocations
a major contender
|a contender in the market
|a contender in the sector
|a contender in the premium category
|a serious contender
|a new contender
|a rising contender
|a leading contender
|emerge as a contender
|position itself as a contender
Synonyms
rival (Broader: can be any competitor, not necessarily likely to win.)
|
challenger (Often suggests taking on an established market leader.)
Antonyms
also-ran (A weak competitor with little chance of success.)
Themes
business
|technology
Definition
A business or product that competes well in the market.
A company, product, or brand that competes strongly with others in a market or industry.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
6
szószóló
C1
Usage pattern:
a contender that [clause]
One contender argues that the policy will reduce costs in the long run.
Az egyik szószóló szerint ez a szakpolitika hosszú távon csökkenteni fogja a költségeket.
Several contenders claim the study’s conclusions are misleading.
Több szószóló is azt állítja, hogy a tanulmány következtetései félrevezetők.
She is a leading contender for the view that the text is authentic.
Common mistake:
This sense is much less common than the competition sense; many speakers would prefer 'argues' or 'claims' instead.
Meaning
person who argues for a view
Collocations
a contender that
|a contender for the view
|a contender of the theory
|the main contenders
|contenders in the debate
Synonyms
advocate (Emphasizes publicly supporting an idea.)
|
proponent (Formal; emphasizes supporting a proposal or theory.)
Antonyms
opponent (Someone who argues against a view.)
Themes
academics
|law
|communication
Definition
Someone who says strongly that something is true.
A person who argues or asserts that a particular idea or claim is true.
Grammar
Dictionary form
contender
IPA
GB/kəntˈɛndɚ/
US/kəntˈɛndɚ/
Syllables & stress
con - tender (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tender)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: contender
- Plural: contenders
Word family
Forms
contenders
noun
Core family
contend
verb C1
contention
noun C1
Related words
contest
noun A2
contestant
noun B1
Advanced or less common
contentious
adjective C1
Expressions
dark-horse contender
1/dˈɑɹk hˈɔɹs kəntˈɛndɚ/
fixed phrase
unexpected competitor who may win
A surprising person or team who might win.
Examples
- She entered as a dark-horse contender and ended up winning the tournament.
- The new candidate is a dark-horse contender in the primary.
- A small studio became a dark-horse contender for best picture.
leading contender
1/lˈidɪŋ kəntˈɛndɚ/
fixed phrase
one of the most likely winners
A person or team with a very good chance to win.
Examples
- She’s a leading contender for the position.
- Two leading contenders pulled ahead after the final debate.
- The club is widely viewed as a leading contender for the title.
Learner examples
- He is a leading contender for the prize.
serious contender
1/sˈɪɹiəs kəntˈɛndɚ/
fixed phrase
genuine rival with real chances
Someone who really could win.
Examples
- With her experience, she’s a serious contender for the leadership role.
- The update makes the app a serious contender in its category.
- They were never a serious contender to win the league.
Learner examples
- Our team is a serious contender now.
title contender
1/tˈaɪtəl kəntˈɛndɚ/
fixed phrase
team or athlete aiming for title
A team or player who could win the championship.
Examples
- They’re not a title contender without a stronger defense.
- Two title contenders meet in the semifinal tonight.
- The coach says the squad can become a title contender next season.
Learner examples
- My team is a title contender.
top contender
1/tˈɑp kəntˈɛndɚ/
fixed phrase
one of the best candidates
One of the best people or teams who could win.
Examples
- She’s a top contender for the award this year.
- The injury could sideline a top contender before the finals.
- Analysts named three top contenders for the contract.
Learner examples
- He is a top contender in the race.