non-competitive

/ˌnɒn.kəmˈpet.ɪ.tɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌnɑːn.kəmˈpet̬.ə.t̬ɪv/ (ame, ipa)

non-competitive — adjective

1. describes an activity or situation where people are not expected to try to beat

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes an activity or situation where people are not expected to try to beat each other or come first.

例句

The school chose non-competitive games for the youngest children.

attributive: non-competitive + games

At camp, Yuki felt calmer in a non-competitive art class.

同義詞
  • cooperative

    goes further by stressing teamwork toward a shared result, not just the absence of rivalry

  • recreational

    emphasizes enjoyment or leisure; an activity can be recreational but still competitive

  • friendly

    more informal and often describes the atmosphere rather than the structure of the activity

反義詞
  • competitive

    focuses on beating others, ranking, or winning

  • rivalrous

    stronger and less common; emphasizes active rivalry between people or groups

文法句型

non-competitive + noun

be non-competitive

用法筆記

Usually describes games, classes, events, or environments where joining in matters more than winning. Distinguish from sense 2, which is used for prices, pay, and rates that compare badly with other offers.

常見錯誤

❌We want a competitive game where nobody keeps score.
✅We want a non-competitive game where nobody keeps score.
💡'competitive' suggests people are trying to win, while 'non-competitive' removes that focus.

2. describes prices, pay, rates, or similar terms that are worse than what other se

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describes prices, pay, rates, or similar terms that are worse than what other sellers, employers, or providers offer.

例句

After rent rose again, the cafe's pay looked non-competitive to new staff.

predicative with pay: be non-competitive

Several shoppers left when they saw the store's non-competitive prices.

attributive: non-competitive + prices

同義詞
  • uncompetitive

    closest synonym, especially in business writing, for prices or offers that compare badly with rivals

  • unattractive

    broader and less precise; can describe offers that fail to interest people for many reasons

  • below-market

    used especially for pay or rates that sit under the usual market level

反義詞
  • competitive

    describes prices or pay that compare well with other available options

  • attractive

    broader term for an offer that people find appealing or worthwhile

文法句型

non-competitive + price/rate/salary

be non-competitive for + market/location

用法筆記

Used mainly with prices, wages, salaries, rates, and business offers. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense compares value with the market rather than describing whether an activity has winners and losers.

常見錯誤

❌The company offered a non-competitive salary, so many people applied.
✅The company offered a competitive salary, so many people applied.
💡If the pay attracts workers because it is good compared with other jobs, use 'competitive', not 'non-competitive'.