DictionaryAI

competitive

adjective
Saykuhm-PET-i-tiv/kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv/

5 meanings of competitive

Practice

  1. 1
    of contestsadjective
    Relating to or arising from competition between rivals.

    Competitive sports demand both skill and self-discipline.

    The festival ends with a competitive round judged by professionals.

    Note

    It describes the setting, not anyone's temperament: competitive bidding between companies, a footballer's first competitive start. Its two opposites pull different ways. Cooperative names working together instead, while anticompetitive belongs to markets and describes conduct that suppresses rivalry.

  2. 2
    able to succeedadjective
    Able to compete successfully, holding its own against rivals in a contest or market.

    Years of investment kept the company competitive in a crowded market.

    Few athletes remain competitive at the elite level past forty.

    UsageOften after stay, remain or keep (stay competitive), and competitive with or against rivals.

    Similarviable

    Oppositeuncompetitive

    Note

    Economics gives the word a measurable edge. A firm or product is competitive when its price, quality or efficiency lets it keep its share against comparable alternatives. It is a verdict on standing, not on attitude. A company can be eager to win, in the temperamental sense, and still fail to be competitive in this one.

  3. 3
    eager to winadjective
    Having a strong tendency to compete, especially an eagerness to win or to outdo others.

    She has always been fiercely competitive about her grades.

    Some children are naturally competitive and thrive when there is a contest.

    UsageOften competitive about something, such as grades, and often with fiercely or very.

    Similarambitious, driven, aggressive

    Oppositeunambitious, cooperative

  4. 4
    low priceadjective
    Of a price, rate, or salary, comparing well with what rivals offer: low enough to attract buyers, or, for pay and interest earned, high enough to attract workers or savers.

    The little furniture store wins customers with competitive prices on well-made sofas, often well below what the big chains charge.

    The hotel offers competitive rates on rooms booked a month ahead.

    UsageUsually of prices, rates or offers, not goods. Sellers prefer it to cheap, which hints at poor quality.

    Similaraffordable, reasonable, low, inexpensive, economical

    Oppositeexpensive, exorbitant, overpriced

    Note

    A competitive price is low compared with what rivals charge, though not necessarily low in itself. Turned to pay or savings, the word flips direction: a competitive salary or savings rate is one that matches or beats what others pay.

Less common meaning

  1. 5
    adjective
    Relating to inhibition in which one substance prevents another from binding to a target, usually by competing for the same binding site.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of competitive apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

Formed from Latin competītus, the past participle of competere, combined with the suffix -ive.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts