competitor

[kuhm-pet-i-ter]

noun

1. a person, team, company, etc., that competes; rival.

competitor

/ kəmˈpɛtɪtə /

noun

1. a person, group, team, firm, etc, that vies or competes; rival

Other Word Forms

• competitorship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of competitor¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin competītor “rival for an office,” equivalent to com- com- + petītor “seeker, claimant” ( petitor )

Synonym Study

See opponent.

Example Sentences

Industry insiders say the company will need to do more than lower prices by less than 13% to gain back the market share it lost to competitors.

From Los Angeles Times

For the second straight year, casino-owning tribes persuaded lawmakers to pass legislation that directly attacks the tribes’ business competitors.

From Los Angeles Times

Ultimately, she is convinced that the key to a happy relationship is to have the same level of swag - to be on the "same energy plane and see each other as co-conspirers rather than competitors".

From BBC

Supporters cast those efforts in part as a competitive imperative, warning that without these US carmakers would risk losing out to competitors from China and other countries.

From BBC

The plaintiffs are middle school and university students who were banned by state laws from participating as a female competitor.

From Salon

Related Words

• adversary 
• challenger 
• competition 
• contestant 
• favorite 
• opponent 
• rival