# contender

/kənˈtɛndɝ/ (US) · /kəntˈɛndɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/contender
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a strong competitor

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

someone who has a good chance of winning a race, a game, or an election.

For teachers: a competitor with a realistic prospect of success in a contest or for a position of authority.

- After winning three games in a row, the team is now a serious contender for the trophy.
- The senator emerged as a leading contender for the nomination after a series of impressive debate performances and a surge in fundraising.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'for' to indicate the prize or position being sought.

Teaching tip: While any participant is a competitor, a 'contender' is specifically someone perceived as having the strength to actually win.

## Examples

- She is a top contender for the gold medal.
- After three consecutive wins, the local team is now a serious contender for the national championship.
- While several candidates applied for the executive role, only two emerged as viable contenders capable of navigating the company through its current financial restructuring.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.