# vie

/ˈvaɪ/ (US) · /vˈaɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vie
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to compete

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to compete strongly with other people to get something that only one person can have.

For teachers: to strive in competition or rivalry with another for superiority or to achieve a specific goal.

- Several young athletes are vying for a spot on the national team.
- In the current economic climate, dozens of qualified candidates are vying for a single entry-level position at the firm.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'for' (the goal) or 'with' (the opponent).

## Examples

- Several companies vie for the government contract.
- During the election, multiple candidates vie for the attention of undecided voters through televised debates.
- In the high-stakes world of venture capital, numerous startups vie for a limited pool of funding, each attempting to prove their long-term scalability.

---

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.