the contestant you hope to defeat
"he had respect for his rivals"
"he wanted to know what the competition was doing"
A person or organization against whom one is competing.
"After years of dominating the local market, our company finally faced a serious competitor who could match our quality and price."
In plain English: A competitor is someone who tries to win against you in a game, sport, or business contest.
"The new store opened with several competitors already established in the neighborhood."
Usage: Use competitor to refer specifically to other businesses, individuals, or entities vying for the same customers or resources in your field. Avoid confusing this term with a rival when you simply mean an opponent without necessarily sharing the exact same market goals.
The word entered English via Middle French as compétiteur, deriving ultimately from the Latin competitor. It originally described someone who competes or vies for the same goal.