contest
gb/kˈɑntɛst/ us/kˈɑntɛst/
A2
English
~ 3600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
event
1
An event where people compete
An event where people try to win by being better than others.
Usage pattern:
a contest for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'contest' with 'context'. 'Contest' is about competition, while 'context' is about surrounding information.
Synonyms
competition (A very general word for any situation where people or groups try to win.)
|
tournament (Usually refers to a series of games or matches in sports or games.)
Antonyms
exhibition (An event for display rather than competition.)
Collocations
enter a contest
|win a contest
|hold a contest
|photography contest
|singing contest
Themes
sports
|entertainment
|business
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She won first place in the poetry contest.
- The school is holding a spelling contest next week.
- Over 100 teams entered the robotics contest this year.
- They organized a cooking contest to raise money for charity.
Learner examples
- I joined a singing contest at school.
- He won the photo contest.
- We have a chess contest today.
- The art contest is for children.
Verb
B2
action
2
To challenge or oppose something
To say that something is wrong or should not be accepted, especially in an official way.
Usage pattern:
to contest [a decision/verdict/election]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'protest'; 'contest' here is more formal and often legal.
Synonyms
challenge (A more general term for questioning or opposing something.)
|
dispute (Implies arguing about whether something is true or valid.)
Antonyms
accept (To agree with or not oppose a decision or result.)
Collocations
contest a decision
|contest an election
|contest the results
|legally contest
Themes
law
|politics
|business
|communication
Examples
- The candidate decided to contest the election results.
- He plans to contest the will in court.
- Several athletes are contesting the referee's decision.
- They are contesting the fine imposed by the agency.
Learner examples
- She will contest the test results.
- He wants to contest the decision.
- They will contest the election.
- We can contest the bill.
Grammar
Dictionary form
contest
IPA
GB/kˈɑntɛst/
US/kˈɑntɛst/
Syllables & stress
con - test (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (con)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: contest
- Plural: contests
Verb
- Base: contest
- 3rd Person Singular: contests
- Present Participle: contesting
- Past: contested
Word family
Forms
contests
noun
contesting
verb
contested
verb
Core family
contestant
noun B1
Advanced or less common
contestable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
uncontestable
adjective
Expressions
beauty contest
1/bjˈuti kˈɑntɛst/
fixed phrase
Competition judging beauty
A show where people are judged on their looks, and sometimes talent or personality.
Examples
- She won the state beauty contest last year.
- The beauty contest included an interview round.
hotly contested
1/hˈɑtli kəntˈɛstɪd/
fixed phrase
Strongly disputed or competed for
When many people strongly try to win or get something, or strongly disagree about it.
Examples
- It was a hotly contested match between the two rivals.
- The seat is hotly contested in this election.
no contest
1/nˈoʊ kˈɑntɛst/
fixed phrase
Legal plea without admitting guilt
A legal answer where you do not say you are guilty, but you accept the punishment.
Examples
- He pleaded no contest to the charges.
- The defendant entered a no contest plea.