Explanation at your level:
Competition is like a game. If you play a race, that is a competition. You want to win. You run fast. You want to be first. That is competition. It is fun to play with friends.
A competition is an event where people try to win. For example, a sports competition is a game like soccer or tennis. You can win a prize or a medal. People like to watch competition on TV.
In daily life, competition is when two or more people want the same thing. You might enter a competition to win a contest, like a cooking competition. In business, companies have competition when they sell similar products to the same customers.
The term competition describes a state of rivalry. It is often used to describe the pressure to succeed in work or school. When you face stiff competition, it means the people you are competing against are very talented, making it difficult for you to win.
Beyond simple contests, competition represents a dynamic force in economics and biology. It describes the struggle for limited resources. In academic writing, we often discuss the 'nature of competition' in global markets, highlighting how it drives innovation and efficiency while potentially leading to market saturation.
Etymologically, competition reflects the duality of 'seeking together.' In high-level discourse, it addresses the tension between cooperation and rivalry. Whether analyzing evolutionary biology's 'survival of the fittest' or the geopolitical competition for hegemony, the word encapsulates the fundamental human drive to achieve status and dominance within a structured framework.
Palabra en 30 segundos
- Competition is a noun meaning a contest.
- It comes from the Latin for 'striving together'.
- It can be countable (an event) or uncountable (the concept).
- Commonly used in sports and business.
Hey there! Think of competition as the ultimate 'who is the best' scenario. Whether it is two friends racing to the front door or two giant companies fighting for customers, they are both in a state of competition.
It is a fundamental part of life. In sports, we see it in the form of a match or a tournament. In business, it is the force that pushes companies to make better products for you. At its heart, it is just about trying to outperform others to reach a specific goal.
Remember, competition can be healthy, pushing us to do our best, or it can be intense and stressful. It is all about the context!
The word competition has a cool journey! It comes from the Latin word competere, which actually means 'to strive together' or 'to seek together.' It is a combination of com- (together) and petere (to seek or aim at).
Isn't that funny? Originally, it didn't just mean fighting; it meant aiming for the same thing. Over time, it evolved into the idea of rivals trying to beat one another. It entered the English language in the 16th century via French, and it has been a staple ever since.
It shares a root with the word competent! So, being competent means you have the skills to enter the competition.
You will hear competition used in almost every part of life. In business, we talk about 'market competition.' In sports, we talk about 'facing stiff competition.'
It is a countable noun when referring to a specific event (e.g., 'I won the competition') and uncountable when referring to the concept (e.g., 'There is too much competition in this industry').
Common adjectives include fierce, intense, or healthy. If you want to sound professional, use it in meetings to discuss rivals: 'We need to keep an eye on the competition.'
1. Beat the competition: To do better than everyone else. Example: Our new app really beat the competition this year.
2. Cut-throat competition: Very aggressive or ruthless behavior. Example: The fashion industry is known for its cut-throat competition.
3. Fair competition: Playing by the rules. Example: We believe in fair competition for all players.
4. Stiff competition: When it is very hard to win because others are good. Example: She faced stiff competition in the finals.
5. Ahead of the competition: Being more advanced or successful. Example: Our research keeps us ahead of the competition.
The word is pronounced kom-puh-TISH-un. Stress falls on the third syllable. It rhymes with addition, ambition, and partition.
Grammatically, it is usually a singular noun. You can say 'a competition' or 'the competition.' When talking about multiple events, use 'competitions.' It is frequently followed by the preposition 'for' (competition for the prize) or 'between' (competition between the teams).
Watch out for the 't' sounds—make sure you enunciate clearly!
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'competent'—you need to be competent to win!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'o' sound, stress on the third syllable.
Slightly more open 'a' sound, stress on the third syllable.
Common Errors
- Misplacing the stress
- Pronouncing the 't' as a 'd'
- Swallowing the middle syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanzado
Grammar to Know
Countable vs Uncountable Nouns
A competition vs. There is competition.
Subject-Verb Agreement
The competition is...
Article Usage
The competition vs. A competition.
Examples by Level
The competition is fun.
The contest is enjoyable.
Subject-verb agreement
I want to win the competition.
I desire to succeed.
Infinitive verb
It is a big competition.
It is a large event.
Article usage
Who won the competition?
Who was the winner?
Past tense
We like the competition.
We enjoy the contest.
Simple present
Is there a competition?
Does one exist?
Interrogative
This is my competition.
This is my opponent.
Possessive
The competition starts now.
It begins immediately.
Present simple
The singing competition was great.
She entered a photography competition.
There is a lot of competition here.
He won the math competition.
I don't like tough competition.
The competition is open to all.
They prepared for the competition.
We watched the sports competition.
The company faces strong competition from abroad.
She won first prize in the national competition.
There is healthy competition between the brothers.
The competition for jobs is very high.
We need to improve to beat the competition.
The competition will be held next month.
He thrives in a spirit of competition.
The rules of the competition are strict.
The market is characterized by intense competition.
He felt the pressure of the competition.
The competition has forced us to innovate.
She is a fierce competitor in every competition.
The competition between the two brands is legendary.
We are entering a new competition.
There is little competition in this niche market.
The competition brought out the best in them.
The global competition for energy resources is escalating.
The firm is struggling to maintain its edge against the competition.
A spirit of friendly competition fosters personal growth.
The competition for academic scholarships is incredibly high.
We must analyze our competition to understand market trends.
The competition of ideas is essential for democracy.
They are engaged in a fierce competition for market dominance.
The competition serves as a catalyst for technological advancement.
The geopolitical competition between superpowers defines the era.
The competition for evolutionary survival is unforgiving.
He views the entire process as a competition for status.
The competition of interests often leads to compromise.
The competition for talent is a major corporate challenge.
Their rivalry escalated into a bitter competition.
The competition of narratives shapes public opinion.
The competition for space in the city is driving prices up.
Sinónimos
Antónimos
Colocaciones comunes
Idioms & Expressions
"cut-throat competition"
ruthless or aggressive
It is cut-throat competition in the tech world.
casual"ahead of the competition"
leading the field
Our design keeps us ahead of the competition.
neutral"give someone a run for their money"
to compete strongly
They gave the champions a run for their money.
casual"neck and neck"
very close in competition
The two runners were neck and neck.
neutral"the name of the game"
the most important aspect
Speed is the name of the game here.
casual"level playing field"
fair competition
We want a level playing field for everyone.
neutralEasily Confused
Looks similar
Person vs. Event
The competitor won the competition.
Shared root
Verb vs. Noun
I compete in the competition.
Shared root
Adjective vs. Noun
He is very competitive.
Similar meaning
Contest is often smaller
A talent contest.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + face + competition
We face stiff competition.
There is + competition + for + noun
There is competition for the prize.
Win + the + competition
She will win the competition.
Enter + the + competition
I want to enter the competition.
The competition + is + adjective
The competition is intense.
Familia de palabras
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Relacionado
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Errores comunes
Missing the 't' before the 'i'.
Using the trait instead of the event.
Compete is a verb, competition is the noun.
Competitor is the person, competition is the event.
When referring to the general concept, it is uncountable.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Think of a trophy shelf.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it to talk about market rivals.
Cultural Insight
Western culture values competition.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember: I compete, this is a competition.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'TISH' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't spell it with an 'o' at the end.
Did You Know?
It comes from 'striving together'.
Study Smart
Group it with 'compete' and 'competitor'.
Better Writing
Use 'stiff competition' instead of 'hard competition'.
Sound Natural
Use 'face competition' in business talks.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Com-PET-ition: You have to PET the winner of the competition.
Visual Association
A race track with a finish line.
Word Web
Desafío
Use the word 'competition' in three sentences today.
Origen de la palabra
Latin
Original meaning: To strive together
Contexto cultural
None, but can be associated with stress.
Highly valued in business and sports culture.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- market competition
- beat the competition
- face competition
In sports
- win the competition
- sports competition
- tough competition
At school
- math competition
- enter the competition
- fair competition
In daily life
- healthy competition
- the competition is high
- a fun competition
Conversation Starters
"Do you enjoy competition?"
"What was the last competition you entered?"
"Is competition good for business?"
"How do you handle stiff competition?"
"Do you prefer individual or team competitions?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you won a competition.
Is competition necessary for success?
Describe a healthy competition you have experienced.
How would you change a competition to make it fairer?
Preguntas frecuentes
8 preguntasNo, it is a noun. The verb is 'compete'.
Add an 's' to make it 'competitions'.
Yes, it is very common in business contexts.
A competition is the event; a rival is the person.
No, it can be healthy and productive.
kom-puh-TISH-un.
It can be both, depending on the context.
Fierce, stiff, healthy, intense.
Ponte a prueba
The ___ is starting soon.
The context is an event.
What does competition mean?
Definition check.
Competition can be uncountable.
Yes, when referring to the general concept.
Word
Significado
Synonym matching.
Subject-verb-object order.
They face ___ competition.
Collocation check.
Which is an antonym?
Antonym check.
Competition is a verb.
It is a noun; the verb is compete.
Adjective placement.
The ___ for resources is high.
Noun usage.
Puntuación: /10
Summary
Competition is the process of striving to be the best, whether in a game, a business, or life itself.
- Competition is a noun meaning a contest.
- It comes from the Latin for 'striving together'.
- It can be countable (an event) or uncountable (the concept).
- Commonly used in sports and business.
Memory Palace Trick
Think of a trophy shelf.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it to talk about market rivals.
Cultural Insight
Western culture values competition.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember: I compete, this is a competition.
Ejemplo
There is a big football competition at the park today.
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