# compete

> English word · Verb · IPA /kəmˈpiːt/ · frequency rank #3,678

## Definitions
1. To be in battle or in a rivalry with another for the same thing, position, or reward; to contend.
2. To be in a position in which it is possible to win or triumph.
3. To take part in a contest, game or similar event.
4. To strive to achieve or obtain something which another also strives for, whether knowingly or unknowingly.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French competer, from Latin competere (“to coincide, to be equal to, to be capable of”), from com- (“with”) + petō (“to seek; to aim for, strive for”). Compare Latin competītor (“competitor”).

## Easily confused with
- **comte** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compete-vs-comte)
- **compose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compete-vs-compose)
- **compute** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compete-vs-compute)
- **compile** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compete-vs-compile)
- **complete** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compete-vs-complete)
- **computer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compete-vs-computer)
- **competed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compete-vs-competed)
- **computed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compete-vs-computed)
- **competes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compete-vs-competes)
- **completed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compete-vs-completed)
- **competent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compete-vs-competent)
- **completes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compete-vs-completes)
- **comet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/comet-vs-compete)
- **compel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compel-vs-compete)
- **cometh** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cometh-vs-compete)
- **compare** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compare-vs-compete)
- **commute** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/commute-vs-compete)
- **compels** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compels-vs-compete)

## Common misspellings (10)
`ccompete`, `cmopete`, `comepte`, `commpete`, `compeet`, `compette`, `comppete`, `comptee`, `copmete`, `ocmpete`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/compete