competitive

American  

[kuhm-pet-i-tiv] / kəmˈpɛt ɪ tɪv /

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, involving, or decided by competition.

   competitive sports; a competitive examination.

2. well suited for competition; having a feature that makes for successful competition.

   a competitive price.

3. having a strong desire to compete or to succeed.

4. useful to a competitor; giving a competitor an advantage.

   He was careful not to divulge competitive information about his invention.

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competitive British  

/ kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv /

adjective

1. involving or determined by rivalry

   competitive sports

2. sufficiently low in price or high in quality to be successful against commercial rivals

3. relating to or characterized by an urge to compete

   a competitive personality

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Usage

What does competitive mean? Competitive is most commonly used to describe a person who has a strong desire to compete and win. Competitive is commonly associated with sports, but it is used in many different contexts that involve competition. It is commonly used to describe someone or something that is able to succeed against or stay even with others in the same contest or setting, as in Our new product will help us stay competitive in this market. Example: Most pro athletes are competitive by nature and always want to win no matter what they’re playing—even if it’s something as simple as a game of cards.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• competitively
  adverb
• competitiveness
  noun
• uncompetitive
  adjective
• uncompetitively
  adverb
• noncompetitiveness
  noun
• pseudocompetitively
  adverb
• overcompetitive
  adjective
• noncompetitively
  adverb
• overcompetitiveness
  noun
• quasi-competitive
  adjective
• anticompetitively
  adverb
• noncompetitive
  adjective
• anticompetitiveness
  noun
• pseudocompetitive
  adjective
• supercompetitive
  adjective
• anticompetitive
  adjective
• uncompetitiveness
  noun
• overcompetitively
  adverb
• quasi-competitively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of competitive

First recorded in 1820–30; from Latin competīt(us) (past participle of competere “to meet, coincide”; see compete) + -ive

Explanation

If you're competitive, you want to be the best. No one likes to lose, but if you are a competitive person, it will be especially disappointing to see someone else win. People who are competitive like to compete — to find out who knows the most, runs the fastest, can eat the most hot dogs, and so on. Some people are competitive about everything. You'll know them by their constant comparing themselves to others and trying to find out what others have and do — in order to be sure they are still "ahead." Competitive can describe any contest, like a competitive sandcastle-building event.

Example Sentences

“There’s never been a more competitive landscape” for vehicle service, said Skyler Chadwick, a consultant with auto industry data firm Cox Automotive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

It means Cobolli has not played a competitive match since Wednesday.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

Higher yields make bonds more competitive and shrink the present value of profits that won’t show up for years—which is exactly the kind of profit growth stocks are priced on.

From Barron's • Jun. 6, 2026

Platner may well pull through this in a weakened but still competitive position, while future revelations don’t land with the same punch.

From Slate • Jun. 6, 2026

There’s something about team competition that brings out one’s competitive spirit—especially when you are fighting for your country.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Related Words

• aggressive
• ambitious
• competing
• cutthroat
• vying