competitively

/kəmˈpetətɪvli/ (bre, ipa) · /kəmˈpetətɪvli/ (ame, ipa)

competitively — adverb

1. set at a price that compares well with what other sellers charge, so that custom

1.副詞B2
釋義

set at a price that compares well with what other sellers charge, so that customers are likely to choose your product or service instead of a rival's.

例句

The hotel chain priced its rooms competitively to attract more travelers during the low season.

priced competitively — common collocation for business strategy

Élise found that the local bakery priced its pastries competitively compared to the supermarket chain.

同義詞
  • affordably

    focuses on being low in price rather than matching rivals

  • reasonably

    suggests the price is fair, not necessarily beating competitors

反義詞

文法句型

priced competitively

competitively [adjective]

用法筆記

Most commonly paired with the verb 'price' or the adjective 'priced'. The sense only applies to cost and value, not to a person's character or attitude. When you see 'competitively', check the word it modifies — if it is 'priced', 'offered', 'sold', or a cost-related adjective, this sense is the intended one.

常見錯誤

❌The store acted competitively by lowering prices.
✅The store priced its goods competitively by lowering prices.
💡'Act competitively' belongs to sense 3 (personal attitude); for cost comparison, use 'price competitively' instead.

2. in a formal contest where people, groups, or businesses try to win or gain an ad

2.副詞B2
釋義

in a formal contest where people, groups, or businesses try to win or gain an advantage.

例句

The two construction firms bid competitively for the contract to build the new hospital wing.

bid competitively — describes a formal tendering process

Six schools from the region took part competitively in the science contest at city hall.

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

[verb] competitively

compete/play/bid/perform competitively

用法筆記

This is the most neutral sense — it simply states that an activity is set up as a contest. It does not imply strong emotion, hostility, or a personal desire to win. Distinguish it from sense 3, which describes a person's inner drive; sense 3 would sound odd with formal processes such as 'bid' or 'award'.

常見錯誤

❌She competed competitively in the tournament.
✅She competed in the tournament.
💡'Compete' already carries the idea of a contest; adding 'competitively' is redundant. Use 'competitively' with verbs that do not already imply competition, such as 'run', 'bid', 'perform', or 'play'.

3. showing a strong inner desire to outperform everyone else and come out ahead, in

3.副詞B2
釋義

showing a strong inner desire to outperform everyone else and come out ahead, in any activity — even when there is no official prize or score.

例句

Adina behaves competitively even during simple board games with her cousins at family gatherings.

behaves competitively — personal trait, not a formal contest

Defne, aged six, acts competitively when playing board games with her cousins because she seeks her parents' attention and approval.

同義詞
  • keenly

    suggests eagerness rather than a drive to beat others

  • ambitiously

    focuses on personal success goals rather than outperforming others

反義詞

文法句型

[verb] competitively

act/behave/play competitively

用法筆記

Describes a person's inner drive, not the structure of the situation. Distinguish from sense 2, where the context names an official contest (a bid, a tournament, a race). Here the activity may be informal — a board game, a school exam, or a mountain climb — but the person treats it as a contest because of their own attitude.

常見錯誤

❌She acts aggressively when playing cards with friends.
✅She acts competitively when playing cards with friends.
💡'Aggressively' suggests hostile intent; 'competitively' means she wants to win, not to harm opponents.