competition
competition
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "competition" is /ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃən/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
ˌkɒm:
/k/: Voiceless velar stop
/ɒ/: Open back rounded vowel (as in "lot")
/m/: Bilabial nasal
pə:
/p/: Voiceless bilabial stop
/ə/: Schwa (mid-central vowel)
ˈtɪ:
/t/: Voiceless alveolar stop
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel (as in "kit")
ʃən:
/ʃ/: Voiceless postalveolar fricative (as in "she")
/ən/: Schwa followed by alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
Competition" is primarily a noun. It has several related forms that serve as other parts of speech.
Noun Forms:
Singular: competition (e.g., "The competition was fierce.")
Plural: competitions (e.g., "She entered several singing competitions.")
Related Forms:
Verb: compete (e.g., "They will compete for the prize.")
Adjective: competitive (e.g., "He has a very competitive spirit.")
Adverb: competitively (e.g., "They priced their products competitively.")
Noun (person): competitor (e.g., "She's a strong competitor.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun Definitions
The activity or condition of striving to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others.
Synonyms: Rivalry, contention, contest, struggle, race, challenge
Antonyms: Cooperation, collaboration, alliance, partnership, monopoly
An event or contest in which people compete.
Synonyms: Contest, event, tournament, match, championship, showdown
Antonyms: Exhibition, demonstration (in the sense of non-competitive display)
The person or people with whom one is competing; rivals.
Synonyms: Rivals, opponents, adversaries, opposition, contenders, challengers
Antonyms: Allies, partners, collaborators, teammates
Examples of Use
Books
"Life is not a competition, it's a journey to be experienced and enjoyed." (Often found in self-help or motivational books)
"The fierce competition among rival houses often led to dramatic and dangerous encounters." (Common in fantasy or historical fiction novels)
Newspapers and Online Publications
"Increased competition among streaming services is driving down subscription costs." (The Verge)
"The marathon attracted elite runners, making the competition incredibly intense." (The Boston Globe)
"Companies are facing stiff competition from new startups entering the market." (TechCrunch)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film: In sports movies like Rocky (1976), the entire narrative is built around a character's journey through intense boxing competition.
Television: "Welcome back to the cooking competition, where our chefs face their toughest challenge yet!" (Heard on reality cooking shows like MasterChef)
Music: Many songs describe the competition for love or success in a metaphorical sense.
Video Games: Online multiplayer games, especially e-sports titles, are built entirely around the concept of competition among players.
General Public Discourse
"I thrive on competition; it pushes me to be better." (Common statement from athletes or driven individuals)
"There's a lot of competition for jobs in that field right now." (Everyday conversation about the job market)
"Our biggest competition just released a similar product." (Discussing business rivals)
"Are you entering the photography competition this year?" (Asking about participation in a contest)
10 Quotes Using Competition
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it." (Steve Jobs) - This quote, while not directly using "competition," is often contrasted with the idea of being driven solely by external competition.
"Without competition, there is no progress." (Unknown, common business adage)
"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." (Often attributed to Charles Darwin, implying the dynamic nature of competition)
"I'm not in competition with anybody but myself. My goal is to improve myself continuously." (Unknown, common self-improvement mantra)
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." (Often attributed to John A. Shedd, implying the need for venturing out and facing competition)
"The fewer the rules, the greater the competition." (Chinese Proverb)
"We don't have a lot of God-given talent. We just have a lot of hustle." (Pat Riley, on overcoming tough competition)
"Life is not a competition. It's a journey to be experienced and enjoyed." (Unknown, common self-help sentiment)
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." (Albert Schweitzer) - Often contrasted with relentless competition.
"The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected." (Sun Tzu, The Art of War) - The entire text is about strategizing against competition.
Etymology
The word "competition" comes from the Latin verb "competere," which meant "to strive together" or "to come together." This Latin root is made up of "com-" (meaning "together" or "with") and "petere" (meaning "to seek," "to strive," or "to go towards").
So, at its core, "competition" is about people or entities striving or seeking something alongside or against each other.
The first known use of "competition" in English, appearing around the late 16th century, referred to the act of contending for something, particularly in rivalry or a contest. This original meaning of striving against others for a prize or goal remains central to the word's modern use.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Competition
Here are some phrases and idioms using the word "competition" or its synonyms for similar effect:
Stiff competition: Very strong rivalry.
Example: "They face stiff competition from international brands."
Healthy competition: Rivalry that is fair and beneficial, encouraging improvement.
Example: "A little healthy competition can motivate a team."
Cutthroat competition: Extremely intense and ruthless rivalry.
Example: "The startup world is known for its cutthroat competition."
In competition with: Directly rivaling someone or something.
Example: "Our new product is directly in competition with their flagship model."
Fair competition: Rivalry conducted according to rules and without unfair advantages.
Example: "Antitrust laws are designed to ensure fair competition in the market."
Friendly rivalry: (Using a synonym, meaning a good-natured competition).
Example: "There's always been a friendly rivalry between our two departments."
Dog-eat-dog world: (An idiom describing a ruthless environment where people compete intensely).
Example: "You have to be tough to survive in this dog-eat-dog world."
Race to the top: (An idiom implying a strong competition to achieve the highest position or success).
Example: "The tech companies are in a race to the top for market dominance."
Outdo oneself: (To perform better than one has before, often in response to or anticipation of competition).
Example: "She really outdid herself in the final round of the contest."
Level the playing field: (To remove disadvantages, creating a fairer competition).
Example: "New regulations aim to level the playing field for small businesses."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of competition from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
