competitive

[ kuhm-pet-i-tiv ]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, involving, or decided by competition:

   competitive sports; a competitive examination.

2. well suited for competition; having a feature that makes for successful competition:

   a competitive price.

3. having a strong desire to compete or to succeed.
4. useful to a competitor; giving a competitor an advantage:

   He was careful not to divulge competitive information about his invention.

competitive

/ kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv /

adjective

1. involving or determined by rivalry

   competitive sports

2. sufficiently low in price or high in quality to be successful against commercial rivals
3. relating to or characterized by an urge to compete

   a competitive personality

Derived Forms

• comˈpetitiveness, noun
• comˈpetitively, adverb

Other Words From

• com·peti·tive·ly adverb
• com·peti·tive·ness noun
• anti·com·peti·tive adjective
• anti·com·peti·tive·ly adverb
• anti·com·peti·tive·ness noun
• noncom·peti·tive adjective
• noncom·peti·tive·ly adverb
• noncom·peti·tive·ness noun
• over·com·peti·tive adjective
• over·com·peti·tive·ly adverb
• over·com·peti·tive·ness noun
• pseudo·com·peti·tive adjective
• pseudo·com·peti·tive·ly adverb
• quasi-com·peti·tive adjective
• quasi-com·peti·tive·ly adverb
• super·com·peti·tive adjective
• uncom·peti·tive adjective
• uncom·peti·tive·ly adverb
• uncom·peti·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of competitive¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from Latin competīt(us) (past participle of competere “to meet, coincide”; compete ) + -ive

Example Sentences

Thanks to a run of one win in 16 and the longest-ever sequence of competitive games without a victory, Scotland’s world ranking has plummeted to 51.

From BBC

There followed punishing defeats by England, France and the Netherlands, with competitive losses to Spain and the Euro 2024 humbling at the hands of the hosts on the opening night in Munich.

From BBC

The American, 40, retired in February 2019 but has announced her competitive comeback having had successful knee surgery in April.

From BBC

In 2022, Rollins, 40, ran a competitive campaign in the newly redrawn district, losing by less than 5% of the vote.

From Los Angeles Times

Lawmakers lobbied to preserve JPL’s funding, citing the need to protect jobs and keep the U.S. space program competitive.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aggressive
• ambitious
• competing
• cutthroat
• vying