competitive
/kəmˈpetətɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /kəmˈpetətɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /kəm-ˈpe-tə-tiv/ (ame, mw)
competitive — adjective
- competitivepositive
- more competitivecomparative
- most competitivesuperlative
1. describing an event, situation, or activity in which two or more people, teams,
describing an event, situation, or activity in which two or more people, teams, or businesses try to win or gain an advantage over each other.
The company operates in a highly competitive global market where prices change daily.
collocation: highly competitive market
Beatriz won first place in a competitive gymnastics tournament last weekend.
Several law firms submitted competitive bids for the new hospital contract.
Playing competitive sports taught Mei how to handle both victory and defeat.
The job market for new graduates is more competitive than ever before.
- non-competitive
describes situations without rivalry or contest
- cooperative
focuses on working together rather than against each other
文法句型
competitive + noun
be + competitive
用法筆記
Often modifies nouns describing events or settings (game, sport, market, election, environment). Cannot describe a person's character — see sense 2 for that meaning.
常見錯誤
2. having a strong drive to outdo those around them, whether at work, in sports, in
having a strong drive to outdo those around them, whether at work, in sports, in class, or during games — for instance, someone who feels unhappy unless they come first or get the top score.
Ravi is very competitive and always wants to finish his work before anyone else.
predicative: be + competitive
The Watanabe family's competitive spirit showed when they argued over board-game rules.
collocation: competitive spirit
A competitive personality can help you succeed, but it may also increase your stress.
Yusuf's older brother is so competitive that he practices guitar for three hours every day.
We need someone with a competitive drive to lead the sales team this year.
- ambitious
broader — can describe career goals without direct comparison to others
- driven
focuses on strong inner motivation to achieve
- determined
emphasises not giving up, while competitive stresses wanting to beat others
- easygoing
relaxed about winning or outcomes; the opposite of a competitive personality
- unambitious
lacking the drive to achieve or outperform others
文法句型
be + competitive
so + competitive + that + clause
competitive + noun (nature, spirit, person)
用法筆記
Describes a person's character or inner motivation, not a situation or activity. Compare with sense 1, which describes events. Common in the pattern 'so competitive that...' to show extreme behaviour.
常見錯誤
3. describing a price, rate, product, or service that is at least as attractive or
describing a price, rate, product, or service that is at least as attractive or favourable as those offered by rival businesses — usually because the cost is low or the quality is high in comparison.
Leila found a hotel with competitive rates near the train station.
collocation: competitive rates
The store offers competitive prices on all electronics during the holiday sale.
collocation: competitive prices
To attract more customers, the bank introduced a competitive interest rate on savings.
Our shipping costs are competitive with those of other online retailers.
Dr. Okafor's clinic provides competitive service packages for dental check-ups.
- reasonable
suggests the price is fair without directly comparing to rivals
- affordable
focuses on the buyer's ability to pay, not on comparison with competitors
- low-cost
stresses that the price is cheap, not merely competitive
- overpriced
more expensive than what rivals charge
- uncompetitive
not as good in price or quality as what others offer
文法句型
competitive + noun (price, rate, offer)
be + competitive with + noun
用法筆記
Used of prices, rates, products, or services — never of people or situations. The preposition 'with' follows this sense: 'competitive with [something/someone]'.