What does comper mean?
A comper is someone who makes a hobby of entering competitions — prize draws, contests, sweepstakes, and promotional giveaways — usually with great regularity and often with considerable skill at spotting opportunities. The term is chiefly British informal slang, derived from 'compete' and closely tied to the practice known as 'comping', which grew alongside consumer promotions in newspapers, magazines, and later websites and social media. Compers range from casual participants who enter the occasional draw to highly organised enthusiasts who track hundreds of competitions weekly, sometimes winning substantial prizes such as holidays, cars, or cash. In tone the word is affectionate or neutral rather than pejorative, and it appears most often in lifestyle journalism, consumer advice columns, and communities of entrants who share tips. It should not be confused with 'competitor', which denotes someone taking part in a single specific contest rather than pursuing prize-winning as an ongoing pastime.
nounA person who habitually enters competitions, especially prize draws, contests, and promotional giveaways, often in large numbers and with skill at finding them.
- A person who regularly and enthusiastically enters competitions, contests, and prize draws in the hope of winning prizes.
"A seasoned comper, she entered dozens of prize draws each week and had won holidays, gadgets, and cash."
"As a devoted comper, Maria spent her evenings filling out online entry forms for every giveaway she could find."
"The magazine interviewed a lifelong comper whose house was filled with prizes won over four decades of entering contests."
Regular plural formation; used when referring to enthusiasts collectively.
"Online forums allow compers to share links to open giveaways."
Some dedicated compers treat entering competitions as a part-time job — and a lucky few effectively win one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of comper
Comper derives from 'compete', ultimately from Latin 'competere' ('to strive together, be qualified'), via the noun 'competition'; it formed as an informal agent noun on the pattern of other '-er' agent nouns like 'gambler' or 'racer'. It emerged in late twentieth-century Britain alongside the boom in consumer prize competitions, where 'comping' became a recognised hobby. Its cognates include 'competition', 'competitive', and 'competitor', all descending from the same Latin root.
How comper is actually used
Informal chiefly British slang, popular in consumer and lifestyle media; 'comper' is generally affectionate or neutral in tone rather than derogatory. The practice it names is sometimes called 'comping'.
Easily confused with comper
A competitor takes part in a specific contest against others, whereas a comper is a hobbyist who routinely enters many competitions and prize draws hoping to win prizes.
A composer creates music, while a comper enters competitions; the words merely sound similar.