com ‧ pete S3 W3 /kəmˈpiːt/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ competition , ↑ competitor , ↑ competitiveness ; adjective : ↑ competitive ≠ UNCOMPETITIVE , ↑ competing ; verb : ↑ compete ; adverb : ↑ competitively ]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Late Latin ; Origin: competere 'to try (with others) to get' , from Latin , 'to come together, agree, be suitable' , from com- ( ⇨ COM- ) + petere 'to go to, look for' ]
1 . BUSINESS if one company or country competes with another, it tries to get people to buy its goods or services rather than those available from another company or country ⇨ competition , competitor , competitive
compete with/against
They found themselves competing with foreign companies for a share of the market.
The Renault Clio competes against such cars as the Peugeot 206.
compete for
The stores have to compete for customers in the Christmas season.
compete in
The company must be able to compete in the international marketplace.
compete to do something
Several advertising agencies are competing to get the contract.
can’t compete (with something) (=be unable to be more successful)
Small independent bookstores simply can’t compete with the big national chains.
2 . PERSON to try to gain something and stop someone else from having it or having as much of it ⇨ competition , competitive
compete for
She and her sister are always competing for attention.
compete against
I had to compete against 19 other people for the job.
compete with
As a stepmother, don’t even try to compete with the children’s mother for their love.
3 . IN A COMPETITION to take part in a competition or sports event ⇨ competitor
compete in/at
How many runners will be competing in the marathon?
Professional athletes may now compete at the Olympics.
compete against
He’ll be competing against the world’s best.
4 . somebody/something can’t compete with somebody/something to not be as interesting, attractive etc as someone or something else:
Melinda was plain and knew she couldn’t compete with her sister where boys were concerned.
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THESAURUS
▪ participate formal to do an activity together with other people:
He always participates in classroom activities.
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The people should have the right to participate in discussions about their future.
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There are many ways people can participate in sports.
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Who will be participating?
▪ take part to participate in something. Take part is less formal that participate and is more common in everyday English:
Nearly 500 teams took part in the competition.
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She was asked to take part in a TV debate on drugs.
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Anyone who is over 18 can take part.
▪ play a part/role to take part in something in a useful way:
Everyone can play a part in improving the security of their neighborhood.
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Schneider played a key role in getting the organization started.
▪ be involved to take part in an activity in some way:
He has denied being involved in the murder.
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It was a big project and many people were involved.
▪ be active in something to actively take part in the work of an organization such as a political group or church:
He is very active in the church’s work with homeless people.
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She is no longer active in politics.
▪ compete to take part in a competition or race:
Athletes from all over the world will be competing.
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She’s hoping to compete in the Olympic Games.