contender
A contender is someone who is trying hard to win a competition or prize.
Explanation at your level:
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.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 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.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with the word 'tend' (to stretch).
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'con-TEN-duh'.
Sounds like 'con-TEN-dur'.
Common Errors
- Misplacing stress on the first syllable
- Pronouncing the 'd' as a 't'
- Swallowing the final 'r'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to understand.
Easy to use.
Commonly used.
Easy to hear.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun usage
A contender is here.
Articles
The contender.
Prepositions
Contender for.
Examples by Level
He is a contender.
He is competing.
Simple subject-verb.
She wants to be a contender.
She wants to compete.
Infinitive verb.
The team is a contender.
The team is competing.
Collective noun.
Is he a contender?
Is he competing?
Question form.
They are the best contenders.
They are the best competitors.
Plural noun.
We are not contenders.
We are not competing.
Negative form.
The winner is a contender.
The winner competed.
Noun phrase.
Be a strong contender!
Try hard to win!
Imperative.
She is a top contender for the gold medal.
The team is a strong contender this year.
Many people are contenders for the job.
He proved he is a real contender.
The race has five main contenders.
She became a contender after her big win.
Are you a contender for the prize?
The contenders are ready to start.
The candidate is a serious contender for the presidency.
Despite his injury, he remains a contender.
Several companies are contenders for the new contract.
She is considered a major contender in the tennis circuit.
The team is a title contender for the championship.
He is a late contender for the award.
Only the best contenders will move to the final round.
The competition is full of young contenders.
She emerged as a surprise contender in the final vote.
The new software is a strong contender in the tech market.
He is widely seen as the primary contender for the position.
The film is a contender for the best picture Oscar.
They are no longer considered contenders for the title.
The debate features four main contenders.
He has established himself as a legitimate contender.
Many experts believe she is the strongest contender.
The proposal is a viable contender for the urban development project.
He has positioned himself as a formidable contender in the field of physics.
The author is a contender for the prestigious literary prize.
The startup is a contender to disrupt the traditional banking industry.
She is a top contender for the leadership role within the organization.
The debate between the two contenders was intense.
His performance made him a contender for the MVP award.
The candidate is a strong contender despite the recent scandal.
The theory is a significant contender in the ongoing scientific discourse.
She stands as a unique contender in a field dominated by veterans.
The city is a contender to host the international summit.
His political maneuvers marked him as a contender for the supreme office.
The sculpture is a contender for the public art commission.
The athlete is a contender for the world record.
They are undisputed contenders for the regional title.
The company is a contender for the global market leadership.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"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.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar spelling
Content means satisfied; contender is a person.
I am content vs. He is a contender.
Similar meaning
Contestant is for games/shows; contender implies strength.
Game show contestant vs. Title contender.
Similar context
Candidate is for positions/jobs.
Job candidate vs. Boxing contender.
Similar meaning
Competitor is a general term.
Business competitor vs. Championship contender.
Sentence Patterns
He is a contender for [position].
He is a contender for the prize.
She emerged as a contender.
She emerged as a contender.
They are top contenders.
They are top contenders.
Is he a contender?
Is he a contender?
The team is a serious contender.
The team is a serious contender.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It is spelled with an 'e', not an 'o'.
Content means satisfied or substance; contender is a person.
Contenders must be participating.
We usually use 'for' a prize or position.
Both are correct depending on count.
Tips
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.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Con-TEN-der: TEN people trying to win.
Visual Association
A boxer in a ring with a big number 10 on his shorts.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about someone you think is a contender for an award.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To stretch out or strive.
Cultural Context
None.
Commonly used in American sports and political news.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
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
Conversation Starters
"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?"
Journal Prompts
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?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNot 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.
Test Yourself
The ___ wants to win the race.
A contender is someone trying to win.
What does a contender do?
Contenders compete.
A contender is someone who has already won.
A contender is still trying to win.
Word
Meaning
These are similar roles.
Subject + verb + article + noun.
She is a ___ contender for the gold.
Strong is the correct collocation.
Which word is most similar to contender?
Participant is the closest synonym.
Can a team be a contender?
Yes, groups can be contenders.
Word
Meaning
Common collocations.
Correct verb phrase structure.
Score: /10
Summary
A contender is someone who is actively fighting to win a competition.
- A person competing for a prize.
- Used in sports and politics.
- Implies a good chance of winning.
- Countable noun.
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.
