What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
concours
Example
She won first place in the piano concours. [concours: noun]
Example
The school held a writing concours to encourage creativity among students. [concours: noun]
competition
Example
The athletes trained hard for the upcoming competition. [competition: noun]
Example
The company faced stiff competition from other businesses in the industry. [competition: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Competition is more commonly used than concours in everyday language, especially in English-speaking countries. Competition is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while concours is less common and often associated with specific fields such as music, art, or education.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between concours and competition?
Concours is often associated with a formal and prestigious tone, as it is commonly used in the context of education or the arts. Competition can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation and tone of the communication.