contendente

contender

noun kon-ten-DEN-teh Rare

Origin: From Latin 'contendere' (to strive, compete).

Also means

opponent

Usage Note

Contendente can be masculine or feminine — il contendente / la contendente — and its plural is contendenti for both genders. It is used in legal contexts (a party in a dispute) as well as in sports or competitions. I due contendenti means the two rivals or opposing sides.

Examples

"I contendenti si sono incontrati in tribunale."

Natural Translation

The contenders met in court.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Avere Fame: Why Italians "Have" Hunger, Not "Are"

In Italian you say Ho fame (I have hunger), never sono fame. Learn the avere + noun rule for fame, freddo, paura, age, and the sono caldo trap to avoid.

June 5, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Hand Gestures: Meanings & When to Use

Italian hand gestures decoded: what the pinched fingers, cheek screw, and chin flick mean, which ones are safe to use, and the one gesture to never make.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Days & Months in Italian: A Beginner's Guide

Days of the week in Italian are lowercase, all masculine except la domenica, and il lunedì means every Monday. Learn the days, months, dates, and seasons.

June 5, 2026 4 min read

ItalianNow

Tu vs Lei: Formal & Informal "You" in Italian

When in doubt, use Lei. Here's exactly when to use tu vs Lei in Italian — the who-to-use-with map, the verb and possessive shifts, and how to switch politely.

June 5, 2026 6 min read