Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense competes, present participle competing, past tense, past participle competed
1. verb
When one firm or country competeswith another, it tries to get people to buy its own goods in preference to those of the other firm or country. You can also say that two firms or countries compete.
Its products compete with own-label desserts in most supermarkets. [VERB + with]
The stores compete with each other for increased market shares. [VERB + with]
Banks and building societies are competing fiercely for business. [VERB + for]
The American economy, and its ability to compete abroad, was slowing down accordingto the report. [VERB]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: contend, fight, rival, vie More Synonyms of compete
2. verb
If you competewith someone for something, you try to get it for yourself and stop the other person getting it. You can also say that two people competefor something.
Kangaroos compete with sheep and cattle for sparse supplies of food and water. [V + with/for]
Schools should not compete with each other or attempt to poach pupils. [VERB + with]
More than 2300 candidates from 93 political parties are competing for 486 seats. [VERB + for]
3. verb
If you compete in a contest or a game, you take part in it.
He will be competing in the London–Calais–London race. [VERB preposition]
Dubbed foreign language films will not be allowed to compete for best film. [VERB preposition]
It is essential for all players who wish to compete that they earn computer rankingpoints. [VERB]
4. See also competing
More Synonyms of compete
compete in British English
(kəmˈpiːt)
verb
(intransitive; often foll bywith)
to contend (against) for profit, an award, athletic supremacy, etc; engage in a contest (with)
Word origin
C17: from Late Latin competere to strive together, from Latin: to meet, come together, agree, from com- together + petere to seek
compete in American English
(kəmˈpit)
verb intransitiveWord forms: comˈpeted or comˈpeting
to enter into or be in rivalry; contend; vie (in a contest, athletic meet, etc.)
Word origin
L competere, to strive together for, be qualified < com-, together + petere, to rush at, desire: see feather
Examples of 'compete' in a sentence
compete
The homes will be built by smaller construction firms who cannot compete with the giants.
The Sun (2016)
Her other main source of income is prize money from competing in races around the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The issuing firm can make sure that underwriters compete for its business.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
Sharing ideas rather than competing gets the best results at work and home.
The Sun (2010)
Your first meeting is where people compete for cash prizes.
The Sun (2016)
Who wins when two weak brands compete?
Al Ries and Laura Ries THE 22 IMMUTABLE LAWS OF BRANDING (2002)
You are also competing with a growing number of owners.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We need to raise our game to compete with the other top teams.
The Sun (2014)
Both working and competing as part of a team of two can bring you satisfying success.
The Sun (2010)
Take two competing narratives in urban neighborhoods.
Christianity Today (2000)
Four firms are competing for the project.
The Sun (2012)
He made the link after drinking coffee before competing in cycle races.
The Sun (2009)
That would seem how any business entity would compete with somebody who is substantially larger.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He says if you work hard and compete you always get chances.
The Sun (2006)
You meet a generous new love where people compete for prizes.
The Sun (2010)
The shared services initiative also has to compete for ministerial attention with frontline policy.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
These companies will have to raise their game and compete.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Take spinal charities competing vigorously for funds.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The changes experienced in these new countries has raised many questions about how firms and consumers compete for goods.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
Or are the results an indication that contamination remains a serious problem for athletes competing in that part of the world?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Both have cerebral palsy, have ridden since four and competed abroad.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
SUN cartoonists will be quick on the draw today as they compete in a contest for charity.
The Sun (2009)
If you want your company to move into the big league or compete abroad, it is probably worth it.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There are more than a dozen works in progress or short finished shows by companies from across Europe competing for awards and support.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
compete
British English: compete /kəmˈpiːt/ VERB
challenge If one person or organization competes with another for something, they try to get that thing for themselves and stop the other getting it.
Students are competing with foreigners for summer jobs.
American English: compete
Arabic: يَتَنَافَسُ
Brazilian Portuguese: competir
Chinese: 比赛
Croatian: natjecati se
Czech: soupeřit
Danish: konkurrere
Dutch: wedijveren
European Spanish: competir
Finnish: kilpailla
French: concourir
German: konkurrieren
Greek: διαγωνίζομαι
Italian: gareggiare
Japanese: 競争する
Korean: 경쟁하다
Norwegian: konkurrere
Polish: współzawodniczyć
European Portuguese: competir
Romanian: a concura
Russian: конкурировать
Latin American Spanish: competir
Swedish: tävla
Thai: แข่งขัน
Turkish: yarışmak
Ukrainian: змагатися
Vietnamese: cạnh tranh
British English: compete VERB
take part If you compete in a contest or a game, you take part in it.
He will be competing in the 100-meter race.
American English: compete
Brazilian Portuguese: competir
Chinese: 参加竞赛或比赛
European Spanish: competir
French: participer
German: teilnehmen
Italian: concorrere
Japanese: 参加する
Korean: 경쟁하다
European Portuguese: competir
Latin American Spanish: competir
Chinese translation of 'compete'
compete
(kəmˈpiːt)
vi
[companies, rivals]竞(競)争(爭) (jìngzhēng)
(in contest, game) 比赛(賽) (bǐsài)
to compete for sth[companies, rivals]争(爭)夺(奪)某物 (zhēngduó mǒuwù) (in contest, game) 争(爭)夺(奪)某物 (zhēngduó móuwù)
to compete with sb/sth (for sth)[companies, rivals]与(與)某人/某物竞(競)争(爭)(以得到某物) (yǔ mǒurén/mǒuwù jìngzhēng (yǐ dédào mǒuwù)) (in contest, game) 与(與)某人/某物竞(競)争(爭)(以获(獲)得某奖(獎)项(項)) (yǔ mǒurén/mǒuwù jìngzhēng (yǐ huòdé mǒu jiǎngxiàng))
1 (verb)
Definition
to strive (to achieve something or to be successful)
The stores will inevitably end up competing with each other for increased market shares.
Synonyms
contend
The two main groups contended for power.
fight
He had to fight hard for his place in the team.
rival
London cannot rival the glamour of Barcelona or Madrid.
vie
The two candidates are vying for the support of the New York voters.
challenge
struggle
The shopkeeper struggled with the intruder for some time before the intruder ran off.
contest
strive
He strives hard to keep himself very fit.
emulate
pit yourself against
2 (verb)
Definition
to take part in (a contest or competition)
She has competed twice in the Berlin marathon.
Synonyms
take part
participate
Over half the population of the country participate in sport.
be in the running
be a competitor
be a contestant
play
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fight
He had to fight hard for his place in the team.
Synonyms
strive,
battle,
push,
struggle,
contend
in the sense of participate
Over half the population of the country participate in sport.
Synonyms
take part,
be involved,
engage,
perform,
join,
enter,
partake,
have a hand,
get in on the act,
be a party to,
be a participant,
come to the party
in the sense of rival
Definition
to try to equal or surpass
London cannot rival the glamour of Barcelona or Madrid.