competitive English · revision 4434

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1826|origins=la competere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /kəmˈpet.ɪ.tɪv/, US /kəmˈpet̬.ə.t̬ɪv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[la|competit-]], past participle stem of competere, the source of [[compete]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)^(SOED 2002) and the suffix -ive.^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) Merriam-Webster derives it from competit- as in [[competitor]].^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Pertaining to or involving competition: 1826 in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) 1829 in the OED, the early 19th century in SOED.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) Merriam-Webster gives a first known use in the 14th century.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A ''competitive examination'', for an office or position, is an early use.^(SOED 2002) Of a price, comparing well with those of other traders, is from the early 20th century.^(SOED 2002) Of a person, eager to compete, aggressive, ambitious, is by 1977 in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) ''Competitively'' and ''competitiveness'' are from 1858.^(OED 1989) In biochemistry, competitive inhibition is the blocking of an enzyme by a compound that competes with its normal substrate.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1826 – involving competition.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1858 – ''competitively'', ''competitiveness''.^(OED 1989)

+ * early 20th century – of prices.^(SOED 2002)

+ * 1977 – eager to compete.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, involving or decided by [[competition]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Liking competition or eager to compete.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # As good as or better than others, especially in price: ''competitive rates''.^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+ # ''(biochemistry)'' Of enzyme inhibition by a compound that competes with the normal [[substrate]].^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[competitively]]

+ * [[competitiveness]]

+ * [[noncompetitive]]

+ * [[overcompetitive]]

+ * [[supercompetitive]]

+ * [[uncompetitive]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[compete]]

+ * [[competition]]

+ * [[competitor]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}