How to pronounce competition
Say it like kom-puh-TISH-un. Competition has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce competition. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kom
- puh
- TISH
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Competition pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- komGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- puhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of competition
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: kom-pih-TISH-un.
What does competition mean?
- a business relation in which two parties compete to gain customers“business competition can be fiendish at times”
- an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
- the act of competing as for profit or a prize“the teams were in fierce contention for first place”
Where does competition come from?
Borrowed from French compétition, from Late Latin competītiō, competītiōnem, from Latin competō, from con- + petō.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with competition
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of competition.
Questions about saying competition
How do you pronounce competition?
Say kom-puh-TISH-un. The American pronunciation is /ˌkɑmpəˈtɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌkɒmpɪˈtɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in competition?
Competition has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TISH). Broken into parts: kom · puh · TISH · un.
Is competition pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌkɒmpɪˈtɪʃən/ (kom-pih-TISH-un).