contestant

contestant — noun

1. Someone who joins a game, show, or event in which people try to do better than e

1.nounB1
Definition

Someone who joins a game, show, or event in which people try to do better than each other to win.

Example

Each contestant in the cooking competition had only one hour to prepare a main course.

contestant in [type of competition]

The game show host introduced all twelve contestants before the first question.

Common collocations
  • contestant in a competition
  • fellow contestant
  • a strong contestant
  • compete as a contestant
Synonyms
  • participant

    more neutral; does not imply a winner/loser dynamic the way contestant does

  • competitor

    emphasises rivalry and the aim to defeat others; stronger and more direct than contestant

  • entrant

    focuses on the act of signing up or registering; less used during the event itself

  • player

    specific to games and sports; less natural for quiz shows or talent contests

Antonyms
  • spectator

    someone who watches rather than takes part

  • viewer

    someone who watches on television or online

Grammar Patterns

contestant + in [competition/event]

Common Mistakes

The athlete was a contestant in the marathon but did not finish.
The athlete was a participant in the marathon but did not finish.
'contestant' sounds odd in endurance sports; 'participant' or 'runner' is more natural.
Every contestant of the race received a medal.
Every contestant in the race received a medal.
the preposition is 'in', not 'of'.

2. A person who runs for a political office or tries to gain authority by seeking v

2.nounB2
Definition

A person who runs for a political office or tries to gain authority by seeking votes in an election.

Example

Each contestant in the local election presented their plans for improving public transport.

contestant in an election

The three main contestants took part in a live television debate last night.

main contestant — quantifying adjective before noun

Common collocations
  • contestant for mayor
  • contestant in an election
  • main contestant
  • leadership contestant
Synonyms
  • candidate

    the standard term in elections; more neutral and professional than contestant

  • nominee

    someone who has been formally proposed or selected by a party

  • hopeful

    informal; emphasises ambition rather than formal status

Antonyms
  • voter

    someone who chooses rather than runs

  • incumbent

    the current officeholder, who may face a contestant

Grammar Patterns

contestant + for [position]

contestant + in [election]

Usage Note

Frequently followed by 'for' + the name of the position (e.g., contestant for governor). In American English, 'candidate' is much more common than 'contestant' for elections; 'contestant' is used more in British English and in formal descriptions of competitive races.

Common Mistakes

She was a strong contestant for the scholarship.
She was a strong candidate for the scholarship.
'contestant' implies a competition with rounds and direct rivalry; 'candidate' fits scholarships, job applications, and selections.
The contestant for president gave a speech.' (in everyday US news)
The candidate for president gave a speech.
In US English, 'candidate' is the standard political term; 'contestant' sounds unusual in news reporting.

Word family

  • contest
    nounB1
  • contest
    verbB2
  • contestable
    adjectiveC1
  • uncontested
    adjectiveB2
  • contested
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe someone involved in a contest, but they differ in emphasis. 'Competitor' highlights direct rivalry and the goal of beating others — it is stronger and more active than 'contestant'. 'Participant' is the broadest and most neutral; it simply means someone who takes part, with no implication of trying to win. 'Entrant' focuses on the act of signing up or registering, so it fits contexts where entry is the main event (e.g., essay contest entrants). 'Contender' carries the nuance of having a realistic chance to win — not every contestant is a contender. For example, all fifty singers in the competition were contestants, but only the top three were serious contenders for the trophy. Use 'entrant' when talking about the application stage, 'participant' for neutral involvement, 'competitor' for head-to-head rivalry, and 'contender' when focusing on the likely winner.

competitor ↗participant ↗entrant ↗contender ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • fellow contestant
  • game show contestant
  • reality TV contestant

Phrases

  • as a contestant
  • be a contestant
  • become a contestant

Prepositions

  • contestant in
  • contestant for

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'contestari' (to call to witness, to bring a lawsuit), formed from 'com-' (together) and 'testari' (to bear witness). In Roman law, a person who called witnesses in court was a 'contestant'. Over centuries the meaning shifted: first to someone involved in any legal dispute, then more broadly to anyone who takes part in a competition or rivalry. The modern sense of a participant in a game show or election solidified in the 1700s.