2 syllables: Com, pete. Stress on pete.
kuhm-PEET
/kəˈmpit/
Compete is pronounced kuhm-PEET (/kəˈmpit/). It has two syllables (Com-pete), with the stress on "pete". Compete is a transitive verb meaning to strive or contend against others in a contest or race, often to gain advantage or win. It can also describe participating in a market or field where entities strive for superiority. The word emphasizes effort, rivalry, and the pursuit of competitive success, typically in formal or professional contexts.
verbCompete is a transitive verb meaning to strive or contend against others in a contest or race, often to gain advantage or win. It can also describe participating in a market or field where entities strive for superiority. The word emphasizes effort, rivalry, and the pursuit of competitive success, typically in formal or professional contexts.
"Companies around the world compete for market share through innovation and pricing strategies."
" Athletes from different teams compete in the championship game."
" The two products compete for consumer attention in a crowded marketplace."
You pronounce it with primary stress on the second syllable: /kəmˈpiːt/. Start with a schwa /kə/ followed by /m/; the second syllable has a long /iː/ vowel as in ‘feet,’ and the final /t/ is a crisp stop. In connected speech, the /m/ can link to the /p/ lightly, but keep the vowel duration clear to avoid sounding like /kəmˈpɪt/. See also audio examples in reputable dictionaries for precise intonation.
Common mistakes include reducing the second syllable to /pɪt/ or dropping the vowel length making /ˈkɛm/ style, and misplacing stress as /kəmˈpɪt/ or /ˈkəmpiːt/. The correct form keeps primary stress on the second syllable and uses a clear /iː/ in /ˈpiːt/. Ensure the /t/ is released crisply rather than glottalizing it behind a vowel. Practice with minimal pairs like /kəmˈpiːt/ vs /kəmˈpɪt/ to feel the difference.
In US, UK, and AU, /kəmˈpiːt/ remains, with rhoticity differences affecting the preceding /r/ in related words but not in this verb. The main difference lies in vowel quality; US tends to maintain a pure /iː/; UK and AU may show slightly shorter or tenser /iː/ depending on speaker, but the stress pattern remains the same. Australian speakers may have a flatter intonation and can produce a slightly more centralized starting syllable due to of → Australian English prosody.
The challenge is the two-syllable rhythm with stress on the second syllable and the long /iː/ vowel in /ˈpiːt/. Learners often run the vowel together with the /m/ into /mp/ or reduce the syllable, making it /ˈkəmpɪt/ instead of /kəˈmpiːt/. The final /t/ needs a crisp release in careful speech to avoid sounding 'compit.' Focus on keeping the syllable boundary audible and maintaining the long vowel sound in the second syllable.
Yes, the key feature is the strong stress on the second syllable and the long /iː/ vowel in /ˈpiːt/. Unlike some similar verbs that place stress on the first syllable (e.g., 'enter'), 'compete' keeps the root syllable lighter and the second syllable elongated. This creates a distinct rhythm: /kə-ˈpiːt/. Being aware of the vowel length and syllable boundary helps prevent conflating it with ‘compete’-like forms in rapid speech.
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The verb compete comes from Middle English competen, from Old French competre, which derived from Latin competere, meaning to strive together, contend, or strive for. The Latin prefix com- means together, and the stem petere means to seek or aim at, combined to convey the sense of striving together or contending. The form entered English in the 14th century, originally carrying connotations of rivaling or contending for a prize or advantage. Over time, the word broadened to include competing in markets, elections, sports, and various competitive domains. The sense evolution tracks legal and economic contexts where parties seek to outrun or outperform each other. In modern usage, compete often appears in business language (compete with or compete against), sports, academia, and general contest situations, maintaining the core notion of rivalry and striving for advantage. The pronunciation has remained relatively stable, with the primary stress on the second syllable in most varieties (com-PETE). First known use is documented in Middle English literature and legal records, where contending parties or rivals were described as competing for rights, privileges, or prizes. The word has also influenced related forms such as competition (noun) and competitive (adjective), reflecting its central idea of rivalry and striving.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Compete" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Compete" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Compete"
-ete sounds
-eat sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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