2 ADJ A competitive person is eager to be more successful than other people. □ He has always been ambitious and fiercely competitive. □ I'm a very competitive person and I was determined not be beaten. ● com|peti|tive|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ They worked hard together, competitively and under pressure. ● com|peti|tive|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ I can't stand the pace, I suppose, and the competitiveness, and the unfriendliness.
3 ADJ Goods or services that are at a competitive price or rate are likely to be bought, because they are less expensive than other goods of the same kind. □ Homes for sale at competitive prices will secure interest from serious purchasers. ● com|peti|tive|ly ADV [ADV -ed, ADV after v] □ …a number of early Martin and Gibson guitars, which were competitively priced. ● com|peti|tive|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] It is only on the world market that we can prove the competitiveness and quality of our goods.
com|peti|tor ◆◇◇ /kəmpe t I tə r / (competitors )
1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] A company's competitors are companies who are trying to sell similar goods or services to the same people. □ The bank isn't performing as well as some of its competitors.
2 N‑COUNT A competitor is a person who takes part in a competition or contest. □ Herbert Blocker of Germany, one of the oldest competitors, won the individual silver medal.
com|pi|la|tion /kɒ mp I le I ʃ ə n/ (compilations )
1 N‑COUNT A compilation is a book, CD, or programme that contains many different items that have been gathered together, usually ones which have already appeared in other places. □ [+ of ] His latest album release is a compilation of his jazz works over the past decade.
2 → see also compile
com|pile /kəmpa I l/ (compiles , compiling , compiled ) VERB When you compile something such as a report, book, or programme, you produce it by collecting and putting together many pieces of information. □ [V n] The book took 10 years to compile. □ [V -ed] A report compiled by the Fed's Philadelphia branch described the economy as weak.
com|pil|er /kəmpa I lə r / (compilers )
1 N‑COUNT A compiler is someone who compiles books, reports, or lists of information.
2 N‑COUNT A compiler is a computer program which converts language that people can use into a code that the computer can understand. [COMPUTING ]
com|pla|cen|cy /kəmple I s ə nsi/ N‑UNCOUNT Complacency is being complacent about a situation. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ about ] …a worrying level of complacency about the risks of infection from sexually transmitted diseases. □ [+ on ] She warned that there was no room for complacency on inflation.
com|pla|cent /kəmple I s ə nt/ ADJ A complacent person is very pleased with themselves or feels that they do not need to do anything about a situation, even though the situation may be uncertain or dangerous. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ about ] We cannot afford to be complacent about our health. □ …the Chancellor's complacent attitude towards the far-right's activities.
com|plain ◆◆◇ /kəmple I n/ (complains , complaining , complained )
1 VERB If you complain about a situation, you say that you are not satisfied with it. □ [V that] Miners have complained bitterly that the government did not fulfill their promises. □ [V + about/of ] The American couple complained about the high cost of visiting Europe. □ [V + to ] They are liable to face more mistreatment if they complain to the police. □ [V ] People should complain when they consider an advert offensive. □ [V with quote] 'I do everything you ask of me,' he complained.
2 VERB If you complain of pain or illness, you say that you are feeling pain or feeling ill. □ [V + of ] He complained of a headache.
com|plain|ant /kəmple I nənt/ (complainants ) N‑COUNT A complainant is a person who starts a court case in a court of law. [LEGAL ]
com|plain|er /kəmple I nə r / (complainers ) N‑COUNT A complainer is someone who complains a lot about their problems or about things they do not like. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was a terrible complainer–always moaning about something.
com|plaint ◆◇◇ /kəmple I nt/ (complaints )
1 N‑VAR A complaint is a statement in which you express your dissatisfaction with a particular situation. □ [+ about ] There's been a record number of complaints about the standard of service on Britain's railways. □ People have been reluctant to make formal complaints to the police.
2 N‑COUNT A complaint is a reason for complaining. □ My main complaint is that we can't go out on the racecourse anymore.
3 N‑COUNT You can refer to an illness as a complaint , especially if it is not very serious. □ Eczema is a common skin complaint which often runs in families. SYNONYMS complaint NOUN 1
protest: The unions called a two-hour strike in protest at the railway authority's announcement.
objection: I have no objection to banks making money.
grumble: My grumble is with the structure and organization of the material.
criticism: …unfair criticism of his tactics.
com|plai|sant /kəmple I z ə nt/ ADJ If you are complaisant , you are willing to accept what other people are doing without complaining. [OLD-FASHIONED ]
com|ple|ment (complements , complementing , complemented ) The verb is pronounced /kɒ mpl I ment/. The noun is pronounced /kɒ mpl I mənt/. 1 VERB If one thing complements another, it goes well with the other thing and makes its good qualities more noticeable. □ [V n] Nutmeg, parsley and cider all complement the flavour of these beans well.