competitor
gb/kəmpˈɛtɪtɚ/ us/kəmpˈɛtɪtɚ/
A2
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
person or group you compete against
A person or group that tries to win against you in a game, business, or other activity.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a competitor of [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'competitor' with 'competition'. 'Competitor' is a person or group; 'competition' can mean the activity itself or all competitors together.
Synonyms
rival (Often interchangeable, but 'rival' can sound slightly more intense or personal.)
|
opponent (Common in sports or contests; focuses on the immediate contest rather than long-term competition.)
Antonyms
ally (An ally works with you toward the same goal, the opposite of competing.)
|
partner (A partner collaborates with you instead of trying to win against you.)
Collocations
main competitor
|direct competitor
|business competitor
|market competitor
|tough competitor
Themes
business
|sports
|competition
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Our biggest competitor released a new product last week.
- She studied her competitors before entering the tournament.
- The company lowered its prices to stay ahead of its competitors.
- They are strong competitors in the technology market.
- He is facing tough competitors in the upcoming race.
Learner examples
- My team will play against a strong competitor.
- The shop across the street is our competitor.
- We watched our competitors during the game.
- A good competitor plays fair.
- That company is our main competitor.
Grammar
Dictionary form
competitor
IPA
GB/kəmpˈɛtɪtɚ/
US/kəmpˈɛtɪtɚ/
Syllables & stress
com - pet - it - or (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pet)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: competitor
- Plural: competitors
Word family
Forms
competitors
noun
Core family
Related words
competitively
adverb
competitiveness
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
uncompetitive
adjective
noncompetitive
adjective
Expressions
beat the competition
1/bˈit ðə kˌɑmpətˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
win over all rivals
To do better than all other people or groups trying to win.
Examples
- Our new product will beat the competition easily.
- Our company needs a new strategy to beat the competition.
- She trained hard to beat the competition at the tournament.
- She trained hard all year to beat the competition at the championship.
fierce competition
1/fˈɪɹs kˌɑmpətˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Very intense competition
Competition that is very strong and difficult.
Examples
- There is fierce competition for jobs in the city.
- There is fierce competition in the fashion industry.
- The market faces fierce competition from overseas companies.
- Fierce competition forced smaller shops to close.
stay ahead of the competition
1/stˈeɪ əhˈɛd əv ðə kˌɑmpətˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
maintain advantage over rivals
To keep being better than your rivals over time.
Examples
- We must innovate to stay ahead of the competition.
- We must innovate constantly to stay ahead of the competition.
- Good customer service helps them stay ahead of the competition.