Cool MateCompetition vs Game
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Competition
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Game
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
| Competition | Game | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌkɑːmpəˈtɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɡeɪm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɡeɪm/"]/ |
| Meaning | A contest where people or teams try to win something. | An activity for fun or competition. |
| Example | The competition between the two teams was very intense. | We played a fun game of soccer at the park last weekend. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | international, national, major, win, lose, have, take place, be open to somebody, winner, entry, committee, in a/the competition, competition between, competition for, cut-throat, fierce, intense, be up against, face, go into, exist, heat up, intensify, laws, against competition, in competition with, in the face of competition, outperform, blow away, crush | ball, board, card, learn, create, design, player, designer, developer, ball, board, card, learn, create, design, player, designer, developer, big, close, tight, have, play, lose, game against, game with, game of, fine, good, great, have, play, pitch, winner, Commonwealth, Olympic, etc., compete in, participate in, take part in, be in, enter, game of, all part of the game, new to this game, little, silly, stupid, play, put an end to, give away |
| Antonyms | cooperation, collaboration | work, seriousness |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'competition' with 'competitor', Using 'compete' incorrectly as a noun, Mixing up 'competition' and 'contest' | Confusing 'game' with 'play' — 'play' is a verb., Using 'games' when referring to a single instance — use 'game' for one., Mixing up game types (e.g., referring to a board game as a video game). |
| Usage notes | Use 'competition' in contexts like sports, events, or challenges. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English. Avoid in casual or slang settings without context. | Used in various contexts, from board games to video games. Informal usage among friends is common, while 'game' can appear in more formal contexts discussing sports or competitions. Avoid using it to describe serious situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Competition vs Game
What's the difference between Competition and Game?
Competition: A contest where people or teams try to win something. Game: An activity for fun or competition.
Which is more advanced: Competition and Game?
Competition is the highest level, at A2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Competition and Game the same CEFR level?
Competition: A2, Game: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Competition and Game?
Competition: noun, Game: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Competition: The competition between the two teams was very intense. Game: We played a fun game of soccer at the park last weekend.
Can I use Competition and Game interchangeably?
Not always. Competition and Game 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.