B1 noun #36 よく出る 2分で読める

contender

の説明 contender あなたのレベルで:

A contender is a person who wants to win a game. If you run in a race, you are a contender. You want to be first!

A contender is someone who competes against others. If you want to win a prize, you are a contender. People say 'he is a strong contender' when he is very good at the game.

A contender is a person or team involved in a competition. They are trying to win an award or a position. We often use this word in sports, like football or tennis, to describe a player who has a good chance of winning the tournament.

The term contender is used to describe someone who is a serious participant in a contest. It implies that the person is not just participating for fun, but is actively working toward victory. It is common to hear phrases like 'a top contender' or 'a title contender' in news reports.

In advanced English, contender is used to denote someone with a legitimate claim to success. It is frequently applied in political and business contexts, where candidates or companies are described as contenders for a position or market share. It suggests a high level of preparation and competitive potential.

The word contender carries a nuance of struggle and persistence. Etymologically rooted in the Latin contendere, it conveys the gravity of a sustained effort against opposition. In academic or literary discourse, it may describe historical figures or philosophical positions that are in conflict for dominance or acceptance within a specific field of thought.

contender 30秒で

  • A person competing for a prize.
  • Used in sports and politics.
  • Implies a good chance of winning.
  • Countable noun.

Think of a contender as someone who has 'thrown their hat in the ring.' When you hear this word, imagine a boxer in the ring or a candidate running for office. They aren't just participating; they are actively striving to come out on top.

Being a contender means you are a serious threat to other competitors. It implies that you have the skills, resources, or determination to potentially win. If a sports commentator calls a team a 'top contender,' they are saying that team is one of the best and could easily take home the trophy.

The word contender comes from the verb contend, which traces back to the Latin word contendere. This Latin root literally means 'to stretch out' or 'to strive.' Over time, it evolved to mean struggling or fighting against an opponent.

In the 16th century, the suffix -er was added to turn the action into a noun, describing the person doing the striving. It has been used in English for hundreds of years to describe anyone involved in a conflict or a contest, whether physical or metaphorical.

You will most often hear contender used in competitive settings. It is a very common word in sports journalism and political news. You might say someone is a 'strong contender' or a 'serious contender' to emphasize their chances of winning.

The word is generally neutral to formal. While you could use it in casual conversation about a board game, it sounds slightly more professional or dramatic. It is rarely used for low-stakes, everyday activities.

1. Throw one's hat in the ring: To announce that you are a contender for a position. 2. In the running: To be considered a potential winner. 3. Neck and neck: When two contenders are very close in a race. 4. Down to the wire: A contest that stays close until the very end. 5. Dark horse: A contender who wins unexpectedly.

Contender is a countable noun. You can have one contender or many contenders. It is usually preceded by an article (a/the) or a possessive pronoun.

Pronunciation: In US English, it is /kənˈtɛndər/. The stress is on the second syllable. Rhyming words include defender, pretender, surrender, render, and spender.

豆知識

It shares a root with the word 'tend' (to stretch).

発音ガイド

イギリス英語 /kənˈtɛndə/

Sounds like 'con-TEN-duh'.

アメリカ英語 /kənˈtɛndər/

Sounds like 'con-TEN-dur'.

よくある間違い

  • Misplacing stress on the first syllable
  • Pronouncing the 'd' as a 't'
  • Swallowing the final 'r'

韻が合う語

defender pretender surrender render spender

難易度

読解 2/5

Easy to understand.

ライティング 2/5

Easy to use.

スピーキング 2/5

Commonly used.

リスニング 2/5

Easy to hear.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

race win compete

次に学ぶ

contention rivalry championship

上級

formidable contender status

知っておくべき文法

Noun usage

A contender is here.

Articles

The contender.

Prepositions

Contender for.

レベル別の例文

1

He is a contender.

He is competing.

Simple subject-verb.

2

She wants to be a contender.

She wants to compete.

Infinitive verb.

3

The team is a contender.

The team is competing.

Collective noun.

4

Is he a contender?

Is he competing?

Question form.

5

They are the best contenders.

They are the best competitors.

Plural noun.

6

We are not contenders.

We are not competing.

Negative form.

7

The winner is a contender.

The winner competed.

Noun phrase.

8

Be a strong contender!

Try hard to win!

Imperative.

1

She is a top contender for the gold medal.

2

The team is a strong contender this year.

3

Many people are contenders for the job.

4

He proved he is a real contender.

5

The race has five main contenders.

6

She became a contender after her big win.

7

Are you a contender for the prize?

8

The contenders are ready to start.

1

The candidate is a serious contender for the presidency.

2

Despite his injury, he remains a contender.

3

Several companies are contenders for the new contract.

4

She is considered a major contender in the tennis circuit.

5

The team is a title contender for the championship.

6

He is a late contender for the award.

7

Only the best contenders will move to the final round.

8

The competition is full of young contenders.

1

She emerged as a surprise contender in the final vote.

2

The new software is a strong contender in the tech market.

3

He is widely seen as the primary contender for the position.

4

The film is a contender for the best picture Oscar.

5

They are no longer considered contenders for the title.

6

The debate features four main contenders.

7

He has established himself as a legitimate contender.

8

Many experts believe she is the strongest contender.

1

The proposal is a viable contender for the urban development project.

2

He has positioned himself as a formidable contender in the field of physics.

3

The author is a contender for the prestigious literary prize.

4

The startup is a contender to disrupt the traditional banking industry.

5

She is a top contender for the leadership role within the organization.

6

The debate between the two contenders was intense.

7

His performance made him a contender for the MVP award.

8

The candidate is a strong contender despite the recent scandal.

1

The theory is a significant contender in the ongoing scientific discourse.

2

She stands as a unique contender in a field dominated by veterans.

3

The city is a contender to host the international summit.

4

His political maneuvers marked him as a contender for the supreme office.

5

The sculpture is a contender for the public art commission.

6

The athlete is a contender for the world record.

7

They are undisputed contenders for the regional title.

8

The company is a contender for the global market leadership.

よく使う組み合わせ

strong contender
top contender
serious contender
main contender
be a contender
emerge as a contender
considered a contender
remain a contender
title contender
major contender

慣用句と表現

"In the running"

Having a chance to win.

She is still in the running for the prize.

neutral

"Throw one's hat in the ring"

To decide to compete.

He finally threw his hat in the ring.

idiomatic

"Neck and neck"

Competing very closely.

The two contenders are neck and neck.

neutral

"Down to the wire"

Ending at the very last moment.

The race went down to the wire.

neutral

"Dark horse"

An unexpected winner.

The dark horse won the race.

neutral

間違えやすい

contender Content

Similar spelling

Content means satisfied; contender is a person.

I am content vs. He is a contender.

contender Contestant

Similar meaning

Contestant is for games/shows; contender implies strength.

Game show contestant vs. Title contender.

contender Candidate

Similar context

Candidate is for positions/jobs.

Job candidate vs. Boxing contender.

contender Competitor

Similar meaning

Competitor is a general term.

Business competitor vs. Championship contender.

文型パターン

A2

He is a contender for [position].

He is a contender for the prize.

B2

She emerged as a contender.

She emerged as a contender.

A2

They are top contenders.

They are top contenders.

A1

Is he a contender?

Is he a contender?

B1

The team is a serious contender.

The team is a serious contender.

語族

名詞

contention The act of competing or a point argued.

動詞

contend To compete or argue.

形容詞

contending Participating in a contest.

関連

contest A synonym for the event where a contender competes.

使い方

frequency

7

丁寧さの度合い

Formal Neutral Casual Slang

ヒント

💡

Memory Palace

Place 10 people in your living room, all competing for one chair.
💡

Native Usage

Use it when talking about sports or elections.
🌍

Cultural Insight

Think of the 'Rocky' movie scene.
💡

Grammar Shortcut

Always use 'for' after contender.
💡

Say It Right

Stress the second syllable.
💡

Don't Mistake

Don't confuse with 'content'.
💡

Did You Know?

It shares roots with 'tend'.
💡

Study Smart

Read sports news to see it in action.
💡

Writing Tip

Use 'strong' or 'top' to modify it.
💡

Speaking Tip

Use it to sound more professional.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Con-TEN-der: TEN people trying to win.

視覚的連想

A boxer in a ring with a big number 10 on his shorts.

Word Web

competition race win rival prize

チャレンジ

Write three sentences about someone you think is a contender for an award.

語源

Latin

元の意味: To stretch out or strive.

文化的な背景

None.

Commonly used in American sports and political news.

'I coulda been a contender' from On the Waterfront. Boxing movies like Rocky.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Sports

  • title contender
  • top contender
  • championship contender

Politics

  • leading contender
  • party contender
  • serious contender

Business

  • market contender
  • top contender
  • viable contender

Awards

  • Oscar contender
  • prize contender
  • award contender

会話のきっかけ

"Who is a contender for the next election?"

"Do you think our team is a contender?"

"Who is the strongest contender in this game?"

"Why do you think he is a contender?"

"What makes someone a good contender?"

日記のテーマ

Write about a time you were a contender.

Describe a contender you admire.

What makes a person a strong contender?

If you were a contender for a prize, what would it be?

よくある質問

8 問
Not necessarily; they are trying to win.
Yes, it means you are being considered.
No, it is neutral and often positive.
No, it applies to any competition.
Contenders.
It is standard English, used in all registers.
Yes, in a race or competition.
To contend.

自分をテスト

fill blank A1

The ___ wants to win the race.

正解! おしい! 正解: contender

A contender is someone trying to win.

multiple choice A2

What does a contender do?

正解! おしい! 正解: Competes

Contenders compete.

true false B1

A contender is someone who has already won.

正解! おしい! 正解: 間違い

A contender is still trying to win.

match pairs B1

Word

意味

全て一致しました!

These are similar roles.

sentence order B2

下の単語をタップして文を組み立てよう
正解! おしい! 正解:

Subject + verb + article + noun.

fill blank B1

She is a ___ contender for the gold.

正解! おしい! 正解: strong

Strong is the correct collocation.

multiple choice C1

Which word is most similar to contender?

正解! おしい! 正解: Participant

Participant is the closest synonym.

true false A2

Can a team be a contender?

正解! おしい! 正解: 正しい

Yes, groups can be contenders.

match pairs B2

Word

意味

全て一致しました!

Common collocations.

sentence order C1

下の単語をタップして文を組み立てよう
正解! おしい! 正解:

Correct verb phrase structure.

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