Cool MateContest vs Game
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Contest
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Game
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Most common: Game
| Contest | Game | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒntest/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːntest/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɡeɪm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɡeɪm/"]/ |
| Meaning | A game or event where people try to win or show who is best. | An activity for fun or competition. |
| Example | She won the baking contest with her delicious chocolate cake. | We played a fun game of soccer at the park last weekend. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | close, equal, even, have, hold, run, take place, during a/the contest, in a/the contest, out of a/the contest, a contest of skills, a contest of strength, be no contest, close, equal, even, have, hold, run, take place, during a/the contest, in a/the contest, out of a/the contest, a contest of skills, a contest of strength, be no contest | 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 | agreement, peace | work, seriousness |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'context' — make sure to differentiate between competition and situation., Using 'contests' as a verb — remember it's a noun., Saying 'participate in a contest' instead of 'take part in a 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 'contest' in both formal and informal situations, such as competitions or challenges. Avoid slang contexts. | 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. |
Frequently asked questions: Contest vs Game
What's the difference between Contest and Game?
Contest: A game or event where people try to win or show who is best. Game: An activity for fun or competition.
Which is more common: Contest and Game?
Game is the most common in everyday English.
Are Contest and Game the same CEFR level?
Contest: B2, Game: A1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Contest and Game interchangeably?
Not always. Contest 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.