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.
Jennifer An, a former contestant on America's Next Top Model, is suing the rapper, now known as Ye, over an encounter she alleges took place in 2010.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
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
Among those taking part were Race Across the World participants, who raced in memory of former contestant Sam Gardiner, who died in a crash near Manchester a year ago.
From BBC • May 31, 2026
When prebiotic soda Poppi jokingly teased a nonexistent “Amaya Papaya” beverage, using the nickname of Amaya Espinal, last year’s winning contestant and fan favorite, ITV sent the Pepsi-owned brand a cease-and-desist letter.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026
The last contestant is a thirteen-year-old girl from Sheboygan, who is also really good as she recites the final verses of the Quran.
From "Amina's Voice" by Hena Khan
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.
