Competitor

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /kəmˈpɛt.ɪ.tɚ/

Definitions

1. A person or organization that strives against others to achieve the same goal or win in a contest
2. An individual or organization that challenges others in a contest to achieve victory or meet objectives
3. A participant in a contest who seeks to outperform others to secure a win or achieve a specific target

Etymology: The Latin root behind "competitor" is "petere," meaning "to seek, aim at, or strive for," which is also the source of "appetite" and "petition." The prefix "com-" ("together, with") gives the sense of seeking something jointly, or seeking the same thing as someone else. A Roman competitor was therefore, at root, a rival who was reaching for the same prize. English borrowed the word from Middle French "compétiteur," which in turn came from the Latin "competitor." The Latin form was used for those who sought the same office or honour, and its later English sense of a contestant in a game or race developed from that idea of rivalry over a shared goal.

Synonyms: rival, contestant, opponent, challenger, contender

Antonyms: ally, partner, supporter