1
: of or relating to a situation in which people or groups are trying to win a contest or be more successful than others : relating to or involving competition
competitive sports
It is a very competitive job market. [=a situation in which a lot of people are trying to get jobs]
The new technology gave them a competitive advantage/edge. [=a better chance than others of winning or succeeding]
2
: having a strong desire to win or be the best at something
She is a very competitive player.
He has a competitive nature. [=he likes to compete and to win]
3
: as good as or better than others of the same kind : able to compete successfully with others
We offer great service at competitive rates. [=rates that are close to those of other companies]
You need a degree to be competitive in today's job market.
a competitive team [=a team with a good chance to win]
Cite this Entry
“Competitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/competitive. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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