To compete is also to take part in a race or competition.
Are you competing in the 100 metres?
The two athletes are competing for the gold medal.
If a company competes against/with another it tries to get people
to buy its
goods or services instead of the other company's.
FIGURATIVE Turn the music down - I'm not competing against/with
that
noise (=I can't/won't try to speak louder than that music)!
competition noun
Competition is the state or activity of competing.
Competition for jobs is fierce/intense/keen (=there are a lot
of people
and not many jobs). [U]
The two companies are in competition with each other. [U]
There was a competition to find the prettiest baby. [C + to infinitive]
There's fierce competition to join the Special Branch. [U + to
infinitive]
Foreign competition (=similar products from other countries)
had
reduced their sales. [U]
Why are you jealous of her? She's no competition (=You're better
than
her)! [U]
A competition is a test of an ability, esp. a sporting ability,
and often forms
a public event.
a swimming/chess/crossword competition
I've entered a beauty competition.
HUMOROUS You don't need to eat so quickly! It's not a competition.
The competition means the person or people you are trying to be
better
than.
The competition on the track looked fierce and her heart sank.
competitor noun [C]
We're trying to keep our new product a secret from our competitors.
How many competitors took part in the race?
competitive adjective
How will such a small firm survive in the competitive world of
business?
Acting is very competitive - you've got to really push yourself
if you
want to succeed.
You're very competitive! It's meant to be a friendly match.
I could never play team sports - I lack the competitive spirit
(=strong
desire to beat others).
Their prices are very competitive (=as low as any other shop
or
company).
With all these foreign imports our product has lost its competitive
edge (=advantage over other products).
competitively adverb
competitiveness
noun [U]