compete

When you compete, you are essentially entering a race of sorts. Whether it is physical, like a track meet, or mental, like a spelling bee, the core idea is that you want to achieve something that others are also reaching for.

It is important to remember that competition is not always about being mean. It can be a healthy way to push yourself to be your best. When people compete, they often focus on improving their own skills to beat the current standard.

In a business context, companies compete for customers by offering better products or lower prices. This keeps the market moving and encourages innovation. So, while you are trying to 'win,' you are also helping the whole group move forward.

The word compete comes from the Latin word competere, which literally means 'to strive together' or 'to seek together.' Interestingly, the original Latin meaning was more about 'meeting' or 'agreeing' rather than the cutthroat rivalry we often associate with it today.

Over time, the word evolved through Middle French and eventually entered English in the early 17th century. It shifted from meaning 'to agree or coincide' to 'to strive in rivalry.' It is fascinating how a word that once meant 'to come together' now describes how we pull apart to win.

Related languages show similar roots, like the Spanish competir and the French compéter. All of these share the same Latin DNA, reminding us that at the heart of every competition, there is a shared goal that brings the participants together in the first place.

You will most often hear compete used with prepositions like 'against' or 'with.' For example, 'She will compete against the best athletes' or 'We have to compete with larger companies.'

In formal settings, like a board meeting or a legal document, you might hear 'The firms are competing for market share.' In a casual setting, you might just say, 'Are you competing in the tournament tomorrow?'

The register is generally neutral. It is perfectly fine to use in a professional email or a chat with a friend. Just be careful not to confuse it with 'contest,' which is often used as a noun, whereas 'compete' is strictly a verb.

1. In the running: To be a serious candidate for winning. Example: 'She is finally in the running for the promotion.'
2. Neck and neck: When two competitors are very close in performance. Example: 'The two sprinters were neck and neck until the very end.'
3. Level playing field: A situation where everyone has the same chance to succeed. Example: 'New laws have created a level playing field for small businesses.'
4. Cutthroat competition: Very aggressive and intense rivalry. Example: 'The tech industry is known for its cutthroat competition.'
5. Throw your hat in the ring: To announce that you are going to compete. Example: 'He decided to throw his hat in the ring for the student council election.'

The word compete is a regular verb. Its past tense is competed and the present participle is competing. It is an intransitive verb, meaning it doesn't usually take a direct object unless you use a prepositional phrase.

Pronunciation-wise, the stress is on the second syllable: /kəm-PEET/. It rhymes with words like delete, repeat, complete, defeat, and retreat.

A common mistake is forgetting the 'e' at the end of the root when adding suffixes. Remember: compete becomes competing (drop the 'e') but competed (keep the 'e' and add 'd'). Always listen for that long 'e' sound at the end!