Cool MateApplicant vs Candidate vs Contender
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Applicant
Candidate
Contender
| Applicant | Candidate | Contender | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈæplɪkənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈæplɪkənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈkændɪdət//🇺🇸 //ˈkændɪdɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈtendə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈtendər/"]/ |
| Meaning | A person who applies for something, usually a job or school. | A person applying for a job or position. | A person or team that competes for something. |
| Example | There were over 500 applicants for the job. | The candidate impressed the interview panel with her skills. | a contender for a gold medal in the Olympics |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | noun |
| Collocations | potential, prospective, eligible, seek, attract, shortlist, apply, applicant for | strong candidate, selected candidate, job candidate, preferred candidate | serious, strong, leading, contender for |
| Antonyms | employer, rejector | incumbent | loser, non-contender |
| Common mistakes | Using 'applicator' instead of 'applicant'., Confusing with 'apply' as a noun., Using 'applicants' for singular contexts. | Confusing with 'candidacy' which refers to the state of being a candidate., Using 'candidate' for something other than people, which is incorrect., Don't use 'candidateships' as it is not a standard term. | Confusing 'contender' with 'pretender' (someone who pretends to be something)., Using 'contender' in non-competitive contexts., Misplacing the word, thinking it can apply to non-human entities like teams or concepts. |
| Usage notes | Used in job applications and admissions processes. It's appropriate in both formal and neutral contexts but may sound stiff in very casual conversations. | Used in job interviews and elections. Not suitable for casual conversations. Typically a formal context. | Use 'contender' when discussing competition, such as sports or awards. It's more appropriate in neutral contexts and less common in informal conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Applicant vs Candidate vs Contender
What's the difference between Applicant, Candidate, and Contender?
Applicant: A person who applies for something, usually a job or school. Candidate: A person applying for a job or position. Contender: A person or team that competes for something.
Which is more advanced: Applicant, Candidate, and Contender?
Contender is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Applicant, Candidate, and Contender the same CEFR level?
Applicant: B2, Candidate: B1, Contender: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Applicant, Candidate, and Contender?
Applicant: noun, Candidate: noun, Contender: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Applicant: There were over 500 applicants for the job. Candidate: The candidate impressed the interview panel with her skills. Contender: a contender for a gold medal in the Olympics
Can I use Applicant, Candidate, and Contender interchangeably?
Not always. Applicant, Candidate, and Contender are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.