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

+testLatinto bear witness

+antFrenchperforming an action

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.