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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

How to Use Compete: Definition & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：engage in a contest (compete)

compete 🔊

/kəmˈpiːt/

vi.

to try to be more successful than others in a contest or activity.

Illustration of children competing in a race, showing the verb 'compete' in action.

engage in a contest 🔊

➕

/ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ ɪn ə ˈkɒntest/

vi.

To actively participate in a competition or activity with the aim of outperforming others.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'competere', meaning 'to strive together'; com- (together) + petere (to seek).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of COMPete as COMing together for a PETition or contest; you compete when you strive with others.

📖 Example

The two children compete to see who can build the taller block tower. 🔊 Two children engage in a contest to determine who can construct the taller tower of blocks.

🔗 Collocations

compete in – to participate in a specific competition or event

compete for – to strive to obtain something, such as a prize or title

compete against – to vie with another person or team

🔄 Synonyms

vie (vi.) – to compete eagerly with someone in order to achieve something

contest (v.) – to take part in a competition or dispute

rival (v.) – to try to equal or surpass another in competition

🚫 Antonyms

cooperate (vi.) – to work together towards a common goal

collaborate (vi.) – to cooperate with others in a joint effort

🌱 Derivatives

competition (n.) – the act of competing; a contest or rivalry

competitive (adj.) – having a strong desire to win or be the best

competitor (n.) – a person or organization that competes with others

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'compete' originates from Latin 'competere', used in ancient Rome for legal disputes and public contests. In modern English, it is central to sports events like the Olympics and business markets.

Meaning 2：vie in the marketplace (compete)

compete 🔊

/kəmˈpiːt/

vi.

to try to get customers, sales, etc. by offering better products or prices than other businesses.

Visual of two stores competing for customers, explaining commercial competition.

vie in the marketplace 🔊

➕

/vaɪ ɪn ðə ˈmɑːrkɪtpleɪs/

vi.

To strive to attract customers or achieve commercial success by offering superior products, services, or prices compared to others.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The two coffee shops on the same street fiercely compete for customers by offering free Wi-Fi and loyalty discounts. 🔊 Two coffee shops on one street aggressively vie for patrons by providing complimentary Wi-Fi and discount programs.

🔗 Collocations

compete with – to be in rivalry with another business or entity

compete for market share – to strive to capture a portion of the market from competitors

compete on price – to use pricing as a primary strategy in competition

🔄 Synonyms

rival (v.) – to compete with another in business or other endeavors

contend (vi.) – to struggle or compete in a commercial context

challenge (v.) – to compete against or question the dominance of another

🚫 Antonyms

monopolize (v.) – to have exclusive control over a market or resource

cooperate (vi.) – to work together with other businesses for mutual benefit

🌱 Derivatives

competition (n.) – the rivalry between businesses in the same market

competitive (adj.) – relating to or characterized by competition in business

competitor (n.) – a company or entity that competes in the same market