Compete
/kəmˈpiːt/noun
To strive against others for the same goal, prize, or advantage.
Did you know?Compete comes from Latin competere, originally meaning “to come together, to meet, to coincide,” before narrowing into the idea of rivals meeting head-on in the same arena.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pet-
“to rush toward, fly at, seek”
Latin
Latin
competere
“to strive together, meet in the same place, be fit or suitable”
Late Latin
Latin
competere
“to contend with, rival”
Old French
Old French
competer
“to contend, rival”
14th Century
English
compete
“to strive against another for a prize or advantage”
Modern English
English
compete
“to strive against others for the same goal, prize, or advantage”