compete

/kəmˈpiːt/ (bre, ipa) · /kəmˈpiːt/ (ame, ipa) · /kəm-ˈpēt/ (ame, mw)

compete — verb

  • competepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • competeshe / she / it
  • competedpast simple
  • competing-ing form

1. to try to win or achieve something that other people, companies, or groups also

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to try to win or achieve something that other people, companies, or groups also want, by being better, faster, or more efficient than them.

例句

Small local shops find it hard to compete with large supermarket chains.

compete with [competitor]

Several big companies are competing for the contract to build the new airport.

compete for [prize/opportunity]

同義詞
  • vie

    more literary and intense; suggests a fierce, active struggle

  • contend

    more formal; often used for positions, titles, or arguments

  • rival

    can mean to be as good as someone, not necessarily in a direct contest

  • go head to head

    informal idiom for a direct, evenly matched competition

反義詞
  • cooperate

    working together instead of trying to outdo each other

文法句型

compete + with/against + [somebody/something]

compete + for + [something]

compete + to + infinitive

用法筆記

Always intransitive — you cannot 'compete someone'. Use a preposition (with, against, for) before the opponent or goal.

常見錯誤

❌Our company competes them in price.
✅Our company competes with them in price.
💡Compete is intransitive and always needs a preposition before the opponent.
❌He competed the first prize.
✅He competed for the first prize.
💡Use the preposition 'for' when stating the goal or prize.

2. to join an organized event, such as a race, game, or tournament, where participa

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to join an organized event, such as a race, game, or tournament, where participants try to do better than each other.

例句

Athletes from over 90 countries will compete in the Olympic Games next summer.

compete in [event/competition]

The school team is competing in the regional football championship this weekend.

同義詞
  • take part

    less intense; focuses on participation rather than winning

  • participate

    more formal; simply means to be involved

  • enter

    emphasizes the act of signing up for a competition

  • play

    specifically used for games and team sports

文法句型

compete + in + [event/competition]

用法筆記

Focuses on being a participant in an organized event; emphasize the event itself rather than the goal. Unlike sense 1, the opponent is often not named. Always use the preposition in before the event.

常見錯誤

❌She competed the race last weekend.
✅She competed in the race last weekend.
💡You must use 'in' before the event name.
❌He competed with the tournament.
✅He competed in the tournament.
💡Use 'in' for the event; use 'with' for the opponent.