Meaning: Wanting very much to win or be more successful than other people.

Example:  I could never play team sports - I lack the competitive spirit.

Related/similar words: Drive, ambitious, motivated, hungry, diligent.

Etymology:

Rare 17 century word revived from late 18c. in sense, "to strive (alongside another) for the attainment of something" and regarded early 19 century in Britain as a Scottish or American word.

1610s, " to enter or be put in rivalry with," from French compéter "be in rivalry with" (14c.), or directly from Late Latin competere "strive in common, strive after something in company with or together."