Compete

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kÉ™m.ˈpiːt
• Rhymes: -iːt

Origin

From Middle French competir or from its source Late Latin competere, present active infinitive of competō., from Latin com- ("with") + petō ("I seek, I aim for, I strive for").

Full definition of compete

Verb

1. To contend emulously; to seek or strive for the same thing, position, or reward for which another is striving; to contend in rivalry, as for a prize or in business; as, tradesmen compete with one another.

Usage notes

A person will compete for a prize received for winning a competition. Two or more persons compete against one another if they are rivals. Two or more persons can compete with each other as teammates, however compete with is also used to indicate two persons competing against each other.

Derived terms