compete

compete
com|pete
W3S3 [kəmˈpi:t] v
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
1¦(business)¦
2¦(person)¦
3¦(in a competition)¦
4 somebody/something can't compete with somebody/something
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
[Date: 1600-1700; : Late Latin; Origin: competere [i]'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 ↑competitor, competitive ↑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 sth
▪ Several advertising agencies are competing to get the contract.
can't compete (with sth)
(=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 ↑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
▪ Edwards will be competing against his closest rival Olsson in the triple jump.
4.) sb/sth can't compete with sb/sth
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.

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • compete — com‧pete [kəmˈpiːt] verb [intransitive] COMMERCE when 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: • measures to enable Irish… …   Financial and business terms

  • compete — 1 Compete, contend, contest are comparable especially in their intransitive senses when they mean to strive to gain the mastery or upper hand. Compete (see also RIVAL) implies a struggle to overcome or get the better of in an activity requiring… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Compete — can refer to:*Competition the rivalry of two or more parties *Compete.com a web traffic analysis company *Compete America an industry trade group *Non compete clause a term used in contract law under which one party (usually an employee) agrees… …   Wikipedia

  • Compete — Com*pete , v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Competed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Competing}.] [L. completere, competitum; com + petere to seek. See {Petition}.] To contend emulously; to seek or strive for the same thing, position, or reward for which another is… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • compete — I verb battle, be a candidate, be in the running, certare, challenge, clash, combat, contend, contest, cum homine contendere, duel, employ stratagem, encounter, engage in a contest, enter, enter competition, joust, match strength with, match wits …   Law dictionary

  • compete — 1610s, from M.Fr. compéter be in rivalry with (14c.), or directly from L.L. competere strive in common, in classical Latin to come together, agree, to be qualified, later, strive together, from com together (see COM (Cf. com )) + petere to strive …   Etymology dictionary

  • compete — [v] go up against in contest attempt, bandy, battle, be in the running*, bid, challenge, clash, collide, contend, contest, cope with, emulate, encounter, essay, face, fence, fight, go after, go for*, go for broke*, go for the gold*, grapple, in… …   New thesaurus

  • compete — ► VERB ▪ strive to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others. ORIGIN Latin competere, from petere aim at, seek …   English terms dictionary

  • compete — [kəm pēt′] vi. competed, competing [L competere, to strive together for, be qualified < com , together + petere, to rush at, desire: see FEATHER] to enter into or be in rivalry; contend; vie (in a contest, athletic meet, etc.) …   English World dictionary

  • compete */*/*/ — UK [kəmˈpiːt] / US [kəmˈpɪt] verb [intransitive] Word forms compete : present tense I/you/we/they compete he/she/it competes present participle competing past tense competed past participle competed to try to be more successful than other… …   English dictionary

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