Origin: Latin suffix -ive
Competitive has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
involving competition or competitiveness
"competitive games"
"to improve one's competitive position"
subscribing to capitalistic competition
"The company's aggressive marketing strategy was undeniably competitive, reflecting a deep commitment to thriving in a market driven by profit and rivalry rather than cooperation."
showing a fighting disposition
"highly competitive sales representative"
"militant in fighting for better wages for workers"
"his self-assertive and ubiquitous energy"
capable of competing successfully
"The new startup proved to be highly competitive, quickly capturing a significant share of the market from established giants."
In plain English: Competitive means wanting to win or do better than other people.
"The two companies are very competitive in the market for new customers."
Usage: Use "competitive" to describe someone or something that has the ability to win or succeed against others in a contest or market. It applies to individuals striving for victory, businesses vying for customers, or games designed to be won by the best player.
The word comes from the Latin competitus, which is the past participle of competere. It entered English with its current meaning related to striving for victory or superiority against others.