Meaning & Definition of word "Compete"

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    Compete

    /kəmˈpiːt/

    verb:

    • 1. To strive against others to achieve a goal, often in the context of sports or contests.
      • Example: The athletes will compete in the championship next month.
    • 2. To contend with someone or something in order to gain or win something.
      • Example: Several companies are competing to launch the latest smartphone.
    • 3. To be in a state of rivalry with others.
      • Example: She decided to compete in the academic tournament to showcase her knowledge.
    • 4. To have the capability to match or surpass.
      • Example: Their product may not compete well with higher-end brands.

    Etymology

    From Latin 'competere' meaning 'to strive together, meet, be suitable'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    to compete against:

    To strive to win against someone.

    compete for attention:

    To seek to be noticed or considered more than others.

    healthy competition:

    A friendly form of competition that promotes improvement.

    Related Words

    competition:

    The act of competing; rivalry for supremacy.

    competitor:

    A person or organization that competes against others.

    competitive:

    Relating to or characterized by competition.

    Slang Meanings of compete

    Meaning: Go head-to-head

    Example Sentence: The two athletes are going head-to-head in the finals.

    Meaning: Beat the competition

    Example Sentence: Our goal is to beat the competition with our new product line.