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tournament

A1 noun #736 よく出る 10分で読める

tournament

上位736

At the A1 level, a tournament is simply a big sports event with many games. You might use it to talk about school sports or famous events like the World Cup. It is a noun that describes a time when many teams play to find one winner. For example, 'I play in a soccer tournament.' You should know that it is a countable noun and usually happens over a few days. It is a very useful word for talking about hobbies and sports.

For A2 learners, the word tournament expands to include different types of activities, not just soccer or basketball. You can have a chess tournament or a video game tournament. You will start using prepositions like 'in' and 'at' more accurately. You might also use simple adjectives like 'big', 'small', 'local', or 'school'. You understand that a tournament has several rounds and that players can be 'out' if they lose. It is an important word for describing weekend plans or school events.

At the B1 level, you can describe the structure of a tournament in more detail. You might use words like 'rounds', 'semifinals', and 'finals'. You can talk about 'qualifying' for a tournament or 'hosting' one. You are aware of the difference between a tournament and a regular season or league. You can also use the word in a work context, like a 'sales tournament'. Your sentences will be more complex, such as 'The tournament was cancelled because of the bad weather, which disappointed all the players.'

B2 learners use 'tournament' with a wider range of collocations and in more formal contexts. You might discuss 'tournament brackets', 'seeding', or 'knockout stages'. You understand the nuance of 'prestigious tournaments' and can use the word to describe complex social or professional competitive structures. You can also use the word metaphorically, such as in a 'tournament of ideas'. You are comfortable using the word in both written reports and spoken debates about sports or competition policy.

At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated understanding of 'tournament theory' in economics or sociology, where it describes a reward structure based on relative performance. You can analyze the 'grueling nature' of a tournament or the 'psychological toll' it takes on participants. You use the word with precision, distinguishing it from 'leagues', 'series', and 'circuits'. You can write detailed articles or give presentations on the organizational challenges of hosting an international tournament, including logistics, sponsorship, and media rights.

For C2 speakers, 'tournament' is a versatile tool for high-level discourse. You might use it to describe geopolitical maneuvering as a 'grand tournament of nations'. You understand the historical etymology from medieval jousting and can use this knowledge to add color to your writing. You can navigate technical discussions about tournament formats (like Swiss-system or double-elimination) with ease. The word becomes part of your metaphorical toolkit for describing any high-stakes, multi-stage process of elimination or selection in any field of human endeavor.

練習する例文メモとヒント

tournament 30秒で

A tournament is a large-scale competition involving many participants and multiple rounds of play.
It is commonly used in sports, gaming, and academic contexts to describe a path to a championship.
The word implies a formal structure, often with elimination rounds leading to a final winner.
It can be used metaphorically to describe any competitive selection process based on relative performance.

The word tournament refers to a structured series of competitions where multiple participants—either individuals or teams—compete against one another to determine an overall winner. Unlike a single match or a casual game, a tournament implies a formal organization, usually spanning several days or weeks, and often involving a progression through various stages such as qualifying rounds, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. The term carries a sense of prestige and high stakes, as it represents the culmination of effort and skill within a specific sport or activity.

Historical Context: Historically, the term originates from the medieval period, specifically referring to knightly jousting competitions where warriors displayed their prowess in combat for honor and prizes. Today, it has evolved to cover everything from the FIFA World Cup to local chess club meetups.

The local high school is hosting a basketball tournament this weekend to raise money for charity.

In modern usage, tournaments are not limited to physical sports. The digital age has seen the rise of e-sports tournaments, where professional gamers compete for millions of dollars in prize pools. Additionally, academic tournaments like spelling bees or debate competitions use the same structural principles. The core idea remains the same: a gathering of competitors, a series of eliminations or points-based rankings, and the crowning of a champion. People use this word when they want to emphasize the scale and the multi-stage nature of a competition.

Structure Types: Common formats include 'single-elimination' (lose once and you are out), 'double-elimination' (you can lose once but still win), and 'round-robin' (everyone plays everyone else).

She felt a mix of nerves and excitement as she entered the grand hall for the international chess tournament.

When discussing a tournament, speakers often use verbs like 'organize', 'host', 'participate in', 'enter', or 'win'. It is a countable noun, so you can talk about several tournaments happening in a single year. The word also appears in metaphorical contexts, such as a 'tournament of ideas', where different philosophies or theories are debated and compared to see which is most effective or popular.

The professional golf tournament attracted thousands of spectators from across the country.

Social Significance: Tournaments often serve as social hubs, bringing communities together and fostering a sense of shared identity and friendly rivalry among participants and fans alike.

Winning the regional debate tournament was the highlight of his senior year in high school.

The video game tournament was streamed live to millions of viewers worldwide.

Using the word tournament correctly involves understanding its role as a countable noun and its common associations with specific prepositions and verbs. Most frequently, we use the preposition 'in' to describe participation: 'I am playing in a tournament.' We use 'at' to describe the location or event as a whole: 'I saw him at the tournament.' The word can be modified by adjectives to specify the type, level, or scale of the event.

Adjective Modifiers: Common adjectives include: annual, international, regional, local, professional, amateur, prestigious, grueling, and invitation-only.

The tournament organizers decided to postpone the matches due to the heavy rain forecast for the weekend.

In terms of sentence structure, 'tournament' often acts as the subject or the object. For example, 'The tournament begins on Monday' (subject) or 'They won the tournament' (object). It can also be part of a compound noun, such as 'tournament director', 'tournament bracket', or 'tournament seed'. These compounds help define specific roles or technical aspects of the event's organization.

Verb Pairings: Verbs that go well with tournament include: qualify for, advance in, be eliminated from, sponsor, and broadcast.

After weeks of practice, the team finally qualified for the national tournament in Chicago.

When describing the progress of a tournament, you might use phrases like 'knockout stage' or 'group stage'. For instance, 'The team performed well in the group stage of the tournament but lost in the first knockout round.' This level of detail helps the reader or listener understand exactly where in the timeline of the event the action is taking place.

The poker tournament lasted for over twelve hours, testing the players' mental endurance and focus.

Prepositional Usage: Use 'throughout' to describe something happening during the whole event: 'He remained undefeated throughout the tournament.'

The atmosphere at the tennis tournament was electric, with fans cheering for every point.

The city expects a significant boost in tourism during the upcoming soccer tournament.

The word tournament is ubiquitous in sports media, educational settings, and gaming communities. If you turn on a sports channel like ESPN or Sky Sports, you will hear commentators discussing upcoming tournaments, analyzing brackets, and interviewing players about their tournament preparation. It is a staple of the sports lexicon, used to frame the narrative of competition and achievement.

Media and Broadcasting: Broadcasters use 'tournament' to build excitement, often referring to 'tournament favorites' or 'tournament underdogs' to create a compelling story for the audience.

'Welcome back to our coverage of the Masters tournament, where the world's best golfers are battling for the green jacket.'

In schools and universities, the word is frequently heard in the context of extracurricular activities. Coaches talk about 'tournament season', and students discuss their performance in 'debate tournaments' or 'science bowl tournaments'. It signifies a step up from regular practice or intra-school games, representing a chance to compete against other institutions and gain wider recognition.

Gaming and E-sports: Online platforms like Twitch are filled with streamers participating in 'community tournaments' or 'pro-circuit tournaments', often with thousands of viewers.

The school announced that the annual volleyball tournament would be held in the main gymnasium next Friday.

Beyond sports and games, you might hear the word in corporate or professional environments. Some companies hold 'sales tournaments' to incentivize employees, or 'innovation tournaments' to gather and rank new product ideas. In these cases, the word is used to inject a sense of healthy competition and structured evaluation into the workplace.

The grandmaster explained that the candidates tournament is the most grueling path to the world championship title.

Local Community: Local newspapers often feature sections on 'community tournaments', ranging from bowling and darts to bridge and poker.

He spent his entire weekend at a regional Yu-Gi-Oh! tournament, trying to win a rare card.

The charity golf tournament raised over fifty thousand dollars for the local children's hospital.

While tournament is a relatively straightforward word, learners often confuse it with similar terms like 'competition', 'match', or 'league'. A common mistake is using 'tournament' to describe a single game. A tournament is always a collection of games. If you are only playing one time against one opponent, you are playing a 'match' or a 'game', not a tournament.

Tournament vs. League: A league usually involves a long-term schedule where everyone plays a set number of games over months. A tournament is typically a shorter, more intense event where players are eliminated until one remains.

Incorrect: We played a tournament against the other school yesterday. (If it was just one game, use 'match').

Another frequent error is the spelling. The 'ou' in the first syllable and the 'a' in the second can be tricky. Some people mistakenly write 'ternament' or 'tournement'. It is helpful to remember the root 'tour', as in a tour of games. Additionally, ensure the correct preposition is used. While 'at the tournament' and 'in the tournament' are both common, they mean slightly different things (location vs. participation).

Countability Errors: Since it is countable, you must use an article (a/the) or make it plural. Don't say 'He likes play tournament'; say 'He likes playing in tournaments'.

Incorrect: There were many tournament this summer. Correct: There were many tournaments this summer.

Finally, be careful with the word 'championship'. A championship is the title or the very last game that decides the winner. The tournament is the whole event. You win a championship *at* or *by winning* a tournament. Confusing these two can make your description of sports events sound imprecise to native speakers.

The team entered the tournament with high hopes, but they were knocked out in the very first round.

Contextual Misuse: Don't use 'tournament' for non-competitive events. A series of music concerts is a 'tour' or a 'festival', not a tournament, unless the musicians are competing for a prize.

It is essential to check the tournament rules before you register, as each event has different requirements.

The debate tournament lasted all weekend, leaving the students exhausted but proud of their efforts.

To enrich your vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that are similar to tournament but carry different nuances. Depending on the context—whether it is a formal sports event, a casual game, or a professional selection process—you might choose a more specific term. Understanding these alternatives allows for more precise and varied expression in both speaking and writing.

Competition: This is a broad term for any situation where people try to be better than others. A tournament is a specific *type* of competition. Use 'competition' when you want to be more general.

The tournament was a fierce competition that brought out the best in every athlete.

Other alternatives include 'championship', which emphasizes the title at stake, and 'contest', which often refers to events judged by a panel rather than decided by a score (like a beauty contest or a pie-eating contest). In some sports, specific names are used: 'meet' is common in swimming and track and field, while 'open' is often used in golf and tennis (e.g., The US Open).

Championship vs. Tournament: A championship is often the final goal or the highest level of a tournament. You might play in a regional tournament to qualify for the national championship.

The tennis tournament serves as a qualifying event for the upcoming world championship.

For smaller, less formal events, you might use 'round-robin' or 'play-off'. A 'round-robin' ensures everyone plays everyone else, which is a specific type of tournament structure. 'Play-offs' usually refer to a series of games at the end of a regular season to determine the champion. Knowing these distinctions helps you describe the format of the event more accurately.

The bridge tournament used a round-robin format, ensuring that all pairs played against each other at least once.

Cup: In many international sports, 'Cup' is used to name the tournament itself, such as the World Cup or the Ryder Cup.

The annual chess tournament attracted grandmasters from all over the world, each vying for the prestigious trophy.

The gaming tournament was part of a larger summer festival celebrating digital culture and technology.

How Formal Is It?

フォーマル

ニュートラル

カジュアル

Child friendly

スラング

豆知識

In medieval times, tournaments were often dangerous and sometimes fatal, leading the Church to occasionally ban them. They were as much about social status as they were about combat skills.

発音ガイド

UK /ˈtʊənəmənt/

US /ˈtɜːrnəmənt/

The primary stress is on the first syllable: TOUR-na-ment.

韻が合う語

permanent determinant discernment adjournment internment concernment government (near rhyme) environment (near rhyme)

よくある間違い

Pronouncing it as 'tour-NA-ment' (stressing the second syllable).
Adding an extra syllable like 'tour-na-ment-al'.
Mispronouncing the 'ou' as a long 'ow' sound like in 'town'.
Dropping the 'n' in the middle, making it 'tour-a-ment'.
Confusing the 't' at the end with a 'd' sound.

難易度

読解 2/5

The word is common in news and books, making it easy to recognize.

ライティング 3/5

The spelling can be tricky due to the 'ou' and 'a' placement.

スピーキング 2/5

Pronunciation is generally straightforward once the stress is learned.

リスニング 2/5

It is a distinct-sounding word that is usually clear in sports broadcasts.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

game play win team sport

次に学ぶ

championship elimination qualifier bracket semifinal

上級

seeding round-robin wildcard bye draw

知っておくべき文法

Countable Nouns

I have played in three tournaments this year.

Prepositions of Place and Participation

She is 'in' the tournament (participating) 'at' the stadium (location).

Compound Nouns

The tournament schedule was released yesterday.

Articles with Specific Events

The tournament (specific) was better than a tournament (general) I played in last year.

Past Tense of Irregular Verbs in Sports

He won the tournament (not winned).

レベル別の例文

I play in a soccer tournament today.

Je joue dans un tournoi de football aujourd'hui.

Use 'in' for participation.

The tournament is on Saturday.

Le tournoi a lieu samedi.

Singular countable noun.

My brother won the chess tournament.

Mon frère a gagné le tournoi d'échecs.

Simple past tense with 'won'.

Is there a tennis tournament this week?

Y a-t-il un tournoi de tennis cette semaine ?

Question form with 'is there'.

We watched the tournament on TV.

Nous avons regardé le tournoi à la télévision.

Preposition 'on' for TV.

The school has a big tournament.

L'école organise un grand tournoi.

Adjective 'big' modifies the noun.

Many teams are in the tournament.

Beaucoup d'équipes participent au tournoi.

Plural noun 'teams'.

Who is the winner of the tournament?

Qui est le vainqueur du tournoi ?

Preposition 'of' shows belonging.

They are organizing a local golf tournament.

Ils organisent un tournoi de golf local.

Present continuous tense.

I need to practice for the next tournament.

Je dois m'entraîner pour le prochain tournoi.

Infinitive 'to practice'.

The tournament lasted for three days.

Le tournoi a duré trois jours.

Preposition 'for' shows duration.

He was the best player in the tournament.

Il était le meilleur joueur du tournoi.

Superlative 'the best'.

Our team lost in the first round of the tournament.

Notre équipe a perdu au premier tour du tournoi.

Phrase 'first round'.

She won a prize at the art tournament.

Elle a gagné un prix au tournoi d'art.

Preposition 'at' for the event location.

Are you going to enter the tournament?

Allez-vous vous inscrire au tournoi ?

Future with 'going to'.

The tournament rules are very simple.

Les règles du tournoi sont très simples.

Possessive noun 'tournament rules'.

The annual tournament attracts players from all over the country.

Le tournoi annuel attire des joueurs de tout le pays.

Present simple for general facts.

We managed to qualify for the final tournament.

Nous avons réussi à nous qualifier pour le tournoi final.

Verb 'manage to'.

The tournament was held in a very modern stadium.

Le tournoi s'est déroulé dans un stade très moderne.

Passive voice 'was held'.

Despite the rain, the tournament continued as planned.

Malgré la pluie, le tournoi s'est poursuivi comme prévu.

Conjunction 'despite'.

He has been training hard for this tournament for months.

Il s'entraîne dur pour ce tournoi depuis des mois.

Present perfect continuous.

The tournament organizers provided free water for everyone.

Les organisateurs du tournoi ont fourni de l'eau gratuite pour tout le monde.

Compound noun 'tournament organizers'.

If we win this match, we will stay in the tournament.

Si nous gagnons ce match, nous resterons dans le tournoi.

First conditional.

The tournament was a great opportunity to meet new people.

Le tournoi était une excellente occasion de rencontrer de nouvelles personnes.

Noun 'opportunity' followed by infinitive.

The tournament structure ensures that every team plays at least three games.

La structure du tournoi garantit que chaque équipe joue au moins trois matchs.

Verb 'ensures' with a 'that' clause.

She was seeded first in the international tennis tournament.

Elle était tête de série numéro un dans le tournoi international de tennis.

Passive voice 'was seeded'.

The prize money for the tournament has increased significantly this year.

La dotation du tournoi a considérablement augmenté cette année.

Present perfect with an adverb.

Participating in such a prestigious tournament is a dream come true.

Participer à un tournoi aussi prestigieux est un rêve qui devient réalité.

Gerund 'participating' as the subject.

The tournament was broadcast live to a global audience.

Le tournoi a été diffusé en direct devant un public mondial.

Adverb 'significantly' modifies the verb.

Several players were disqualified from the tournament for breaking the rules.

Plusieurs joueurs ont été disqualifiés du tournoi pour avoir enfreint les règles.

Preposition 'from' after 'disqualified'.

The tournament atmosphere was tense as the final approached.

L'atmosphère du tournoi était tendue à l'approche de la finale.

Conjunction 'as' showing time.

He decided to withdraw from the tournament due to an injury.

Il a décidé de se retirer du tournoi en raison d'une blessure.

Phrase 'due to'.

The tournament serves as a crucial benchmark for evaluating the players' progress.

Le tournoi sert de référence cruciale pour évaluer les progrès des joueurs.

Verb 'serves as'.

The sheer scale of the tournament presented immense logistical challenges.

L'ampleur même du tournoi a présenté d'immenses défis logistiques.

Adjective 'sheer' for emphasis.

Economists often use tournament models to explain wage disparities in corporations.

Les économistes utilisent souvent des modèles de tournoi pour expliquer les disparités salariales dans les entreprises.

Technical usage of 'tournament'.

The tournament's knockout format leaves no room for error.

Le format à élimination directe du tournoi ne laisse aucune place à l'erreur.

Idiom 'no room for error'.

Sponsorship deals are vital for the financial viability of the tournament.

Les contrats de sponsoring sont essentiels à la viabilité financière du tournoi.

Noun 'viability'.

The tournament was a masterclass in strategic planning and execution.

Le tournoi a été une leçon magistrale de planification et d'exécution stratégiques.

Metaphorical use of 'masterclass'.

Critics argued that the tournament was overly commercialized.

Les critiques ont soutenu que le tournoi était excessivement commercialisé.

Adverb 'overly'.

The tournament provided a platform for emerging talents to showcase their skills.

Le tournoi a offert une plateforme aux talents émergents pour montrer leurs compétences.

Verb 'showcase'.

The diplomatic negotiations were akin to a high-stakes tournament of geopolitical strategy.

Les négociations diplomatiques s'apparentaient à un tournoi de stratégie géopolitique à enjeux élevés.

Simile 'akin to'.

The tournament's legacy continues to influence the city's urban development.

L'héritage du tournoi continue d'influencer le développement urbain de la ville.

Noun 'legacy'.

He navigated the tournament with a level of poise that belied his young age.

Il a traversé le tournoi avec un aplomb qui démentait son jeune âge.

Verb 'belied'.

The tournament format was criticized for its inherent bias towards established teams.

Le format du tournoi a été critiqué pour son biais inhérent en faveur des équipes établies.

Adjective 'inherent'.

The tournament served as a microcosm of the broader societal tensions of the era.

Le tournoi a servi de microcosme des tensions sociétales plus larges de l'époque.

Noun 'microcosm'.

The winner's performance was the culmination of a grueling tournament odyssey.

La performance du vainqueur a été l'aboutissement d'une odyssée de tournoi exténuante.

Noun 'odyssey'.

The tournament's sudden cancellation sent shockwaves through the sporting community.

L'annulation soudaine du tournoi a provoqué une onde de choc dans la communauté sportive.

Idiom 'sent shockwaves'.

The intricate rules of the tournament were designed to mitigate any unfair advantage.

Les règles complexes du tournoi ont été conçues pour atténuer tout avantage déloyal.

Verb 'mitigate'.

類義語

competition championship contest series cup meet

反対語

friendly match practice session solo game

よく使う組み合わせ

host a tournament

enter a tournament

win a tournament

annual tournament

prestigious tournament

tournament bracket

tournament director

qualify for a tournament

knockout tournament

tournament seed

よく使うフレーズ

tournament play

tournament favorite

tournament underdog

round-robin tournament

single-elimination tournament

invitational tournament

charity tournament

tournament trail

tournament bubble

tournament circuit

よく混同される語

tournament vs league

A league is a long-term schedule; a tournament is a short, concentrated event.

tournament vs match

A match is a single game; a tournament is a collection of many matches.

tournament vs championship

A championship is the title or the final game; the tournament is the whole event.

慣用句と表現

"tournament of shadows"

A historical term for the 'Great Game' of strategic rivalry between empires. It refers to complex political maneuvering.

The cold war was often described as a modern tournament of shadows.

literary

"a knight in a tournament"

Someone who is competing bravely or skillfully in a difficult situation. It harks back to medieval times.

He faced the board of directors like a knight in a tournament.

literary

"to run the tournament"

To be the person in charge of organizing and managing the entire event. It implies authority and responsibility.

She has been running the city's youth soccer tournament for ten years.

neutral

"tournament of nerves"

A competition where mental strength and staying calm are more important than physical skill. It is often used for chess or poker.

The final match became a grueling tournament of nerves.

neutral

"to crash out of a tournament"

To be eliminated from a tournament unexpectedly or in a very disappointing way. It is common in sports headlines.

The defending champions crashed out of the tournament in the first round.

informal

"to make a deep run in a tournament"

To progress far into the later stages of a tournament, such as the semifinals or finals. It shows great performance.

The underdog team made a deep run in the tournament, surprising everyone.

neutral

"tournament of ideas"

A metaphorical competition where different theories or philosophies are debated. The best idea 'wins' public approval.

The university hosted a tournament of ideas regarding climate change solutions.

academic

"to seed the tournament"

To rank players so that the best ones do not play each other until the final rounds. It ensures a better final.

The committee met to seed the tournament based on the latest world rankings.

technical

"to sweep the tournament"

To win every single match or game within a tournament. It is a sign of total dominance.

The young prodigy swept the tournament without losing a single set.

informal

"tournament of the mind"

A competition focusing on intellectual or creative skills rather than physical ones. It is often used for academic contests.

The creative writing tournament of the mind attracted students from across the state.

neutral

間違えやすい

tournament vs competition

Both involve people trying to win.

Competition is a general concept; a tournament is a specific organized event with a bracket or rounds.

There is a lot of competition in the business world, but the tennis tournament is a specific event.

tournament vs contest

Both are events where people compete.

A contest is often judged (like a beauty contest), while a tournament is usually decided by scores in matches.

She won the singing contest, and he won the chess tournament.

tournament vs series

Both involve multiple games.

A series is usually between the same two teams (like the World Series), while a tournament involves many different teams.

The Lakers won the playoff series, but the World Cup is a tournament.

tournament vs meet

Both are sports gatherings.

A 'meet' is specifically used for swimming or track and field, while 'tournament' is used for most other sports.

I have a swim meet on Friday and a soccer tournament on Saturday.

tournament vs cup

Both refer to a big competition.

A 'cup' is often the name of the trophy or the specific knockout tournament itself.

The players lifted the cup after winning the tournament.

文型パターン

I like the [sport] tournament.

I like the soccer tournament.

The tournament is in [month/place].

The tournament is in July.

We are going to [verb] the tournament.

We are going to host the tournament.

The tournament was [adjective] because of [reason].

The tournament was difficult because of the heat.

The tournament serves as a [noun] for [purpose].

The tournament serves as a platform for new talent.

The [noun] of the tournament was [adjective].

The legacy of the tournament was profound.

Who won the tournament?

He has played in many tournaments.

語族

名詞

動詞

形容詞

使い方

frequency

Very high in sports and gaming contexts.

よくある間違い

I played a tournament against my friend yesterday. → I played a match against my friend yesterday.
A tournament is a series of many games. If you only played one game, it is a match.
He is the winner of the tennis tournement. → He is the winner of the tennis tournament.
The word is spelled with an 'a' in the second syllable, not an 'e'.
There were many tournament this year. → There were many tournaments this year.
Tournament is a countable noun, so it must be plural after 'many'.
I am at the tournament for three weeks. → I am in the tournament for three weeks.
Use 'in' when you are a participant. Use 'at' when you are just a spectator at the location.
The league was very short, only two days. → The tournament was very short, only two days.
A league is usually long. A short event with many games is a tournament.

ヒント

The 'Tour' Trick

Remember that a tournament is like a 'tour' of games. This will help you remember to include the 'u' in the first syllable.

Count Your Tournaments

Tournament is a countable noun. Always use 'a', 'the', or make it plural ('tournaments') when you are writing or speaking.

Use Adjectives

Make your English sound more natural by adding adjectives like 'annual', 'prestigious', or 'regional' before the word tournament.

Stress the Start

Always put the emphasis on the first part of the word: TOUR-na-ment. This makes you sound much more like a native speaker.

Not Just Sports

Don't be afraid to use 'tournament' for gaming, board games, or academic competitions. It is a very versatile word.

Formal vs. Informal

Use 'tournament' for your essays and school work. Save 'tourney' for texting your friends or talking about sports casually.

Sports Commentary

Watch sports highlights on YouTube. You will hear the word 'tournament' used many times, which will help you understand its natural flow.

The Bracket Image

Whenever you think of a tournament, visualize a bracket diagram. This visual link will help you remember the word's meaning instantly.

Win vs. Play

Remember: you 'play in' a tournament, but you 'win' the tournament. Using the right verbs makes a big difference.

Conversation Piece

Asking someone 'Have you ever won a tournament?' is a great way to start a conversation about their hobbies and interests.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of a 'TOUR' of games. You go on a tour through different rounds until you reach the end. TOUR + NAME + NT = TOURNAMENT.

視覚的連想

Imagine a pyramid or a bracket diagram. Many teams start at the bottom, and only one reaches the top point.

Word Web

Sports Trophy Bracket Champion Rounds Elimination Competition Finals

チャレンジ

Try to name five famous international tournaments in different sports without using the internet.

語源

The word comes from the Old French word 'tornoiement', which stems from 'tornoier', meaning 'to turn' or 'to wheel about'. This referred to the movement of knights in a jousting match. It entered Middle English in the 13th century.

元の意味： A martial sport where knights fought in groups or pairs for prizes and honor.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French > English.

文化的な背景

Be aware that 'tournament' implies a winner and losers; in some modern educational settings, the term might be avoided to focus on participation rather than competition.

In the UK and US, 'tournament' is the standard term for organized sports events. Americans often use 'tourney' informally.

The Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter. The Masters Tournament in professional golf. The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament (March Madness).

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Sports

knockout stage
group stage
defending champion
tournament favorite

Gaming

prize pool
pro circuit
online qualifier
LAN tournament

Education

debate tournament
spelling bee
math olympiad
science bowl

Business

sales tournament
innovation tournament
competitive ranking
performance-based reward

History

medieval tournament
jousting match
knightly competition
heraldic display

会話のきっかけ

"Have you ever participated in a sports tournament?"

"What is the most exciting tournament you have ever watched on TV?"

"Do you think tournaments are better than regular leagues?"

"If you could organize a tournament for any hobby, what would it be?"

"Who do you think will win the next big international tournament?"

日記のテーマ

Describe a time you felt a lot of pressure during a competition or tournament.

Write about the pros and cons of using a tournament structure in schools.

If you were a tournament director, how would you make the event more fun for fans?

Reflect on a famous tournament victory that inspired you.

Discuss how tournaments bring people from different cultures together.

よくある質問

10 問

A league usually involves teams playing against each other over a long period, like a whole year, and the winner is decided by points. A tournament is a shorter event where players are often eliminated after losing a game until only one winner remains.

No, a tournament requires multiple participants (at least three or four) to compete against each other in a series of games. If it is just two people, it is called a match or a duel.

Yes, 'tourney' is a real word. It is a shorter, more informal version of 'tournament'. It is often used in sports headlines or casual conversation, but you should use 'tournament' in formal writing.

It is spelled T-O-U-R-N-A-M-E-N-T. Many people forget the 'u' after the 'o' or the 'a' in the middle. Think of the word 'tour' to help you remember the beginning.

Seeding is a way of ranking players so that the best players do not have to play against each other at the very beginning. This helps ensure that the final match is between the two strongest competitors.

Yes! You can have tournaments for chess, video games, card games like poker, debating, spelling, and even for business ideas. Any activity where people can compete in rounds can be a tournament.

A knockout tournament is a type of competition where if you lose one game, you are immediately out of the tournament. You have to win every game to stay in until the end.

In a round-robin tournament, every player or team plays against every other player or team at least once. The winner is usually the one with the most total wins or points at the end.

Yes, the FIFA World Cup is the most famous soccer tournament in the world. It involves teams from many countries playing in groups and then knockout rounds to find a champion.

It depends on the size. A small local tournament might last just one afternoon, while a large international tournament like the Olympics or the World Cup can last for several weeks.