contenders

IPA/kənˈten.dər/
KK[kəntˈɛndɚz]IPA/kənˈten.dɚ/

contenders — noun

  • contenderssingular
  • contendersesplural

1. A person or team that has entered a competition and is considered strong enough

1.名詞B2
釋義

A person or team that has entered a competition and is considered strong enough to have a realistic chance of winning it.

例句

Mei-Lin is one of the top contenders for the Olympic gold medal in swimming.

collocation: top contender + for + [prize]

After winning his first five fights, Thiago became a serious contender for the world title.

pattern: serious contender + for + [title]

同義詞
  • competitor

    Broader term for anyone taking part; does not emphasize likelihood of winning

  • contestant

    Focuses on participation in a contest rather than the chance of victory

  • candidate

    Used for jobs, elections, or awards; less common for sports

  • challenger

    Specifically someone trying to take a title or position from the current holder

反義詞
  • spectator

    Someone who watches rather than takes part

  • also-ran

    Informal — a participant who finishes well behind the leaders with no chance of winning

文法句型

contender + for + [prize/position/title]

contender + in + [competition/event]

用法筆記

Unlike the more neutral word 'competitor,' 'contender' implies that the person or team actually has a chance of winning. A team can be a competitor without being a contender.

常見錯誤

❌She is a contender player in the tournament.
✅She is a contender in the tournament.
💡Contender is a noun, not an adjective; do not place it before another noun to describe it.
❌I am a contender to get the scholarship.
✅I am a contender for the scholarship.
💡Use the preposition 'for,' not 'to,' after 'contender.'