noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of contestant
From French, dating back to 1655–65; see origin at contest, -ant
Explanation
A contestant is someone who competes in a game or contest. Contestants in many beauty competitions need to demonstrate a talent, like singing or dancing, as well as look pretty. If you're a contestant on a TV game show, you might have to answer trivia questions, and if you're a debate contestant, you need to argue your case clearly. You can also be a contestant in a sporting competition or on a reality show. Contestant comes from the verb contest, from the French contester, "oppose," which has a Latin root, contestari, "to bring action."
Vocabulary lists containing contestant
Vocabulary of the Summer Olympics
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Out of My Mind
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Alex Trebek (1940–2020) Tribute List
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Raj Bhakta, a former “Apprentice” contestant, wants to give away the Green Mountain College campus he bought in 2020.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026
Participants from every series of the show will take part in the forthcoming Great Manchester run on that same date, in memory of late former contestant Sam Gardiner.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
The season was chock-full of cameos from celebrities like Billie Eilish and Sia, and included former “Survivor” runner-up and “White Lotus” creator Mike White as a contestant.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
Eurovision organizers capped votes at 10 per person and warned Israel’s broadcaster Kan after its lobbying campaign for a past contestant.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026
She even tried to get on various radio and television quiz shows herself, hoping to bring home some money for being a successful contestant.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
