contestant

noun

con·​tes·​tant kən-ˈte-stənt 

also ˈkän-ˌte-

1

: one that participates in a contest

2

: one that contests an award or decision

Synonyms of contestant

• competitor
• contender
• challenger
• rival

Examples of contestant in a Sentence

The contestant who catches the most fish wins.

The winning contestants will receive a cash prize.

Recent Examples on the Web

In House of Games, which was previously titled Richard Osman’s House of Games, celebrity contestants compete against each other in different tasks across episodes through the week, accruing double points on Friday. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026

In another tense moment teased in the preview, Paul confronts a contestant for allegedly sleeping with one of her friends before coming onto the show. —Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026

Maybe the closest thing the movie has to a thesis comes when one of the contestants flies a drone to the sisters and tries to offer a compromise via a loophole in the rules that could spare all of them, if Grace is willing to make a repugnant sacrifice. —Jada Yuan, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026

After all, one of the show's guiltiest pleasures is searching each contestant's face during the reveal to suss out their true feelings. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

contest entry 1 + -ant entry 1

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for contestant

• decongestant

Kids Definition

contestant

noun

con·​test·​ant

kən-ˈtes-tənt

also ˈkän-ˌtes-

: a person who takes part in a contest

Legal Definition

contestant

noun

con·​tes·​tant

: one that initiates or participates in a contest