To compete with other people to achieve or get something.
The two restaurants stood right next to each other on the same street. They had been vying for customers ever since they opened, each one trying to offer better food and lower prices. The competition had actually made both places much better than they would have been alone.
This meaning is about actively trying to win or get something that other people also want. Imagine five talented candidates all applying for the same dream job at a top company. Each one is preparing harder, dressing sharper, and trying to stand out — they’re all vying for the same position. This is the act of competing eagerly against others. You might hear “several companies are vying for the contract” or “the two brothers vied with each other for their father’s approval.” Or think about a popular singer with fans vying for front-row seats at a sold-out concert, refreshing the ticket page over and over. The word suggests determined, active competition where everyone wants the same thing. ✏️ Watch the spelling — the -ing form changes to “vying,” not “vieing.” You’ll most often see “vie for” (something) or “vie with” (someone).
Vivid example: Three tech startups were all presenting their ideas to the same investor. Each team was vying for a chance to secure the funding that could change everything. The tension in the waiting room was thick as they prepared their final pitches.
Examples from the street:
“Five companies are vying for the same government contract.” → Five businesses are competing against each other to win the same official deal
“The two brothers have always vied for their father’s attention.” → The two siblings have always competed with each other to be noticed by their dad
“Dozens of candidates are vying for the leadership position.” → A large number of people are competing to become the new leader
Vie for as competing to win or obtain something — VERY COMMON:
– vie for something → compete to win, obtain, or achieve something
– vie for attention/approval/recognition → compete to be noticed, accepted, or acknowledged
– vie for the top spot/position/title → compete for the highest rank or most desirable role
– vie for power/control/influence → compete to gain authority or dominance
– vie for a place/spot (on/in something) → compete to be selected or included
Vie with as competing against someone or something:
– vie with someone (for something) → compete directly against another person or group
– vie with each other → compete against one another
– vie with something → compete for dominance or importance alongside something else
Vie in specific contexts:
– companies/brands vying for market share → businesses competing to win a larger portion of customers
– candidates vying for (a seat/the presidency) → people running against each other in an election
– athletes/teams vying for (a medal/the championship) → sportspeople competing to win a prize or title
– countries vying for influence → nations competing to gain power or authority in a region or area
Example Sentences
1. Three tech giants are vying for the contract to build the city’s new digital infrastructure
→ Three major technology companies are competing against each other to win the deal to construct the city’s new online systems.
2. She’s one of twelve athletes vying for a place on the Olympic team
→ She’s among a dozen sportspeople competing to be selected for the national squad at the international games.
3. The two restaurants have been vying with each other for years to be named the best in the city
→ The two eating places have been competing against one another for a long time to earn the title of the finest in town.
4. Several countries are vying for influence in the region following the collapse of the previous government
→ A number of nations are competing to gain authority in the area after the former administration fell apart.
5. As children, they constantly vied for their mother’s attention, each trying to be her favourite
→ When they were young, they were always competing to be noticed by their mum, each one wanting to be the child she preferred.
6. Streaming platforms are vying for market share by producing more original content than ever before
→ Online viewing services are fighting for a bigger portion of customers by creating more of their own programmes than at any point in the past.
7. Six candidates are currently vying for the leadership of the party after the prime minister’s resignation
→ Half a dozen people are presently competing to become the head of the political group following the leader’s decision to step down.
8. The two cities are vying for the right to host the next World Cup
→ Both cities are competing against each other to win the privilege of staging the next major international football tournament.
9. Local shops are vying with online retailers for customers, and it’s an increasingly difficult battle
→ Independent high street businesses are competing against internet-based sellers for buyers, and the struggle is becoming harder all the time.
10. In a crowded job market, graduates are vying for fewer and fewer entry-level positions
→ In a highly competitive employment landscape, people who’ve recently finished university are fighting over a shrinking number of beginner-level roles.
Learner Examples
1. In large classes, students often vie for the teacher’s attention, which is why it’s important to create activities where everyone gets a chance to participate
→ In big groups, learners frequently compete to be noticed by the instructor, which is why it matters to design tasks where every person has an opportunity to take part.
2. Language schools in popular tourist cities are constantly vying with each other for international students by offering more flexible courses and better facilities
→ Institutions teaching languages in well-known travel destinations are always competing against one another for overseas learners by providing more adaptable programmes and improved premises.
✔ Native usage tips
– “Vying” is far more common than “vie” or “vied” — the present participle form is the one you’ll encounter most often, especially in news headlines and reports. “Companies vying for the contract” or “candidates vying for the position” are typical. The base form “vie” and past tense “vied” appear less frequently and sound more literary
– It’s a journalism and media favourite — “vie” appears constantly in news reporting, especially about politics, business, and sport. Journalists prefer it to “compete” because it sounds more dynamic and dramatic. “Six candidates vying for leadership” is a classic headline construction
– Native speakers rarely use “vie” in casual conversation — in everyday spoken English, people would say “compete,” “fight for,” or “go for” rather than “vie.” Saying “we’re vying for the same parking space” would sound oddly formal. The word belongs firmly to written and formal register
– “Vie for” is much more common than “vie with” — while both are correct, “vie for” (competing for something) is the combination you’ll see most. “Vie with” (competing against someone) appears less often and sounds slightly more old-fashioned or literary
– It always implies multiple competitors — you wouldn’t normally say “she’s vying for the job” if she’s the only candidate. “Vie” inherently suggests a field of rivals all going after the same thing. The word carries a sense of crowded, active competition
– Spelling note: “vying” drops the ‘e’ — learners sometimes write “vieing” by mistake. The correct spelling is “vying” — the ‘e’ is dropped before adding ‘-ing.’ This is an irregular spelling pattern worth memorising
✔ Similar expressions / words
– Compete → the most direct and versatile equivalent; works in all registers from casual to formal; “competing for the title” is neutral and universal, while “vying for the title” sounds more polished and journalistic
– Contend → slightly more formal; implies being a serious, credible competitor; “three teams are contending for the championship” suggests they’re all genuine threats, while “vying” focuses more on the active process of competing
– Rival → used as both a noun and a verb; as a verb, it means to match or come close to equalling; “nothing rivals her cooking” means nothing compares, while “vie” focuses on the active struggle to win rather than the comparison itself