Competition can mean a contestAn event or game where people try to win by doing better than others., the act of competingTrying to do better than others for the same goal or prize., or the people or businesses you are competing against. In everyday English, it often refers to the rivalsPeople or groups trying to beat each other in the same situation. or other businesses in the same market.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən/
Easy pronunciation: kom-puh-TISH-uhn (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the third syllable, with secondary stress on the first syllable.
Used in the sense of the rival or opponent you hope to beat, not the event or the act of competing.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Competition Meaning
the person or group you are trying to beat
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the contestant you hope to defeat
Example: He wanted to know what the competition was doing.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- competitor — A direct substitute in this sense.
- rival — Common and natural in this sense.
- challenger — Works when someone is actively trying to beat you.
- contender — Works when someone is one of the possible winners or opponents.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Competition
Meaning 2
an event where people compete and a winner is chosen
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
Example: She entered a singing competition.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- contest — A strong substitute for this sense.
Meaning 3
the struggle to win or to do better than others
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the act of competing as for profit or a prize
Example: There is a lot of competition for the top prize.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- contention — Possible in formal usage, but less common in everyday English.
- rivalry — A natural synonym when the focus is on competing against others.
Meaning 4
businesses trying to win the same customers
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a business relation in which two parties compete to gain customers
Example: Business competition can be fiendish at times.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- rivalry — Works when describing businesses or companies competing.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Competition Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- competitor
- rival
- challenger
- contender
an event where people compete and a winner is chosen
- contest
the act or process of competing
- rivalry
- contention
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using competition to mean only the event, when it can also mean the people or businesses you are up against.
- Using challenger for any competitor, when it usually suggests someone actively challenging another person or team.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does competition mean in simple English?
It usually means the person or business you are competing against, or the act or event of competing.
What is a synonym for competition?
That depends on the sense. Common synonyms include competitor, rival, contest, rivalry, and contention.
Is competition singular or plural?
Competition is usually an uncountable noun, but it can also refer to a specific contest or event.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.