Cool MateApplicant vs Contender
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Applicant
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Contender
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
| Applicant | Contender | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈæplɪkənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈæplɪkənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈtendə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈtendər/"]/ |
| Meaning | A person who applies for something, usually a job or school. | A person or team that competes for something. |
| Example | There were over 500 applicants for the job. | a contender for a gold medal in the Olympics |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | potential, prospective, eligible, seek, attract, shortlist, apply, applicant for | serious, strong, leading, contender for |
| Antonyms | employer, rejector | loser, non-contender |
| Common mistakes | Using 'applicator' instead of 'applicant'., Confusing with 'apply' as a noun., Using 'applicants' for singular contexts. | 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. | 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 Contender
What's the difference between Applicant and Contender?
Applicant: A person who applies for something, usually a job or school. Contender: A person or team that competes for something.
Are Applicant and Contender the same CEFR level?
Applicant: B2, Contender: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Applicant and Contender interchangeably?
Not always. Applicant 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.