contender
/kənˈtɛn.dɚ/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: contenders
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Someone who competes with one or more other people.
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Someone who has a viable chance of winning a competition.
Noun
Examples
In April 2014, towards the end of Özil’s first season at Arsenal – which had been marked by highs and lows – Wenger predicted the German would be a contender for the player of the year awards in 2014‑15.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “contender” mean?
Someone who competes with one or more other people.
Is “contender” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.