con-

together, with; sometimes thoroughly

Forms

con-
com- — Used before certain consonants, especially b, p, and m.
col- — The final consonant changed before l.
cor- — The final consonant changed before r.
co- — The final consonant was lost in some combinations.

Origin

From Latin cum, “with,” and an older form com-.

Note

Togetherness could extend to completeness. Not every word containing this prefix retains an obvious “with” meaning.

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noun

contestant

kuhn-TES-tuhnt/kənˈtestənt/

A person who takes part in a competition.

The contestant waits at the cooking workstation before the round begins.

East Asian contestant waits at cooking competition workstation.

Etymology

conLatintogether, with; sometimes thoroughly

+testLatinbear witness or declare

+antFrenchdoing or being something

The witness-calling roots led to the idea of legal conflict, while the participial ending identifies someone taking part. A contestant was a disputant or litigant before the word broadened to a competitor.

In context

Fortress of Lugh13:04

prizes were awarded. Although unlike the Olympics, the second place contestant also won a prize.

Mythology of The Olympic Games

More examples

Several contestants advanced to the final.
Each contestant received the same materials.
The youngest contestant finished first.

Forms

contestant · contestants

Similar words

competitor: Competitor is broader than someone entered in a contest.
entrant: Entrant emphasizes registration rather than participation.