competitor
Americannoun
noun
Synonym Usage
See opponent.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of competitor
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin competītor “rival for an office,” equivalent to com- com- + petītor “seeker, claimant” ( see petitor)
Explanation
Competitors are rivals or contenders for the same thing. Two boxers in a ring are competitors, and so are restaurants located on the same block. When people compete (in sports, business, or elsewhere), they're trying to achieve the same goal and are therefore considered competitors. Two teams in the same sports division are competitors. Two politicians running for the same office are competitors. And even two guys courting the same gal are considered competitors. Competitors are out to win.
Vocabulary lists containing competitor
Vocabulary of the Summer Olympics
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Chapter 11: Industry and Immigration, Lessons 1–3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List, Group, Label pre-reading exercise
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Competitor SK Hynix also seeks a U.S. listing.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
Competitor Allianz guided for 7% to 9% for 2024-27, and Munich Re is trading at a discount to the company.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025
Competitor Ford shut down its Argo robotaxi unit in 2002, concluding that the possibility of far-off profits weren’t worth the enormous cash drain.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2023
Competitor Beyond Meat blamed challenges around pricing, and the taste and perception of their products' health benefits, for a similar drop in sales.
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2023
The Competitor case was explained to you in No. 40 of The Great Round World.
From The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1, No. 55, November 25, 1897 A Weekly Magazine for Boys and Girls by Bishop, Julia Truitt
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.
