competitive

adjective

com·​pet·​i·​tive kəm-ˈpe-tə-tiv 

1

: relating to, characterized by, or based on competition

competitive sports

a competitive marketplace

2

: inclined, desiring, or suited to compete

a competitive personality

competitive interest rates

3

: depending for effectiveness on the relative concentration of two or more substances

competitive inhibition of an enzyme

competitively adverb

competitiveness noun

Examples of competitive in a Sentence

She is a very competitive player.

You need a degree to be competitive in today's job market.

Recent Examples on the Web

This week’s matchup doesn’t offer much more appeal as Jacksonville should be a sizable favorite, and while Tennessee has been more competitive than its 1-7 record suggests, Strange remains a streaming option at best. — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2026

For indie producers, sales agents and distributors, the upheaval means fewer buyers and projects, and an increasingly competitive marketplace. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026

But that’s what a competitive bidding process was for — to determine such outcomes in the clear light of day. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026

The remaining money would be distributed through competitive grants to public and nonprofit research institutions. — Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see competition

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing competitive

• hyper-competitive

Rhymes for competitive

• appetitive
• repetitive
• anticompetitive
• noncompetitive
• uncompetitive

Kids Definition

competitive

adjective

com·​pet·​i·​tive kəm-ˈpet-ət-iv 

: relating to, characterized by, or based on competition

competitive sports

competitive bidding

competitively adverb

competitiveness noun

Medical Definition

competitive

adjective

com·​pet·​i·​tive kəm-ˈpet-ət-iv 

: depending for effectiveness on the relative concentration of two or more substances

competitive inhibition of an enzyme

competitive protein binding

competitively adverb