champions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "champions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals or teams that have won a competition or to describe someone who advocates for a cause. Example: "The champions of the tournament celebrated their victory with a grand parade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

The French champions are seeking a successor to Carlo Ancelotti, who is to take up the reins at Real Madrid along with his coaching staff, having steered the French club to their first league title in 19 years and the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The Guardian - Sport

The champions are certain to strengthen once again this summer – indeed, they already have with the capture of Fernando Llorente on a free transfer.

The Guardian - Sport

The latest case follows the Polish champions' fans displaying a large image of a pig imposed on a Uefa badge and the slogan "Because Football Doesn't Matter, Money Does".

The Guardian - Sport

And among the new members, they are the champions at spending money from structural funds.

The Guardian

England, the Under-20 world champions, had lost the first match of this year's Six Nations in Wales.

The Guardian - Sport

On a muggy, absorbing, oddly processional night Barcelona reached their eighth European Cup final with their first win in Munich, cruising past the champions of Germany without ever really having to thrum up through the gears.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Until Augsburg managed to beat the heavily rotated champions-elect in early April, everyone had proved little more than a quick, comforting bite.

The Guardian - Sport

Root knows what it's like to be on the receiving end of a punch from a fellow professional having been the subject of Warner's ire during their infamous dust-up at Birmingham's Walkabout bar during the 2013 Champions Trophy.

The Guardian - Sport

Ditto Leicester at Stoke and QPR at Everton and, indeed, Everton themselves: with Champions League qualification up for grabs, will Roberto Martínez commit to the Cup as fully as he did with Wigan?

The Guardian - Sport

But Smith's failure to make a major impact in Europe - the finest moment probably being the home-and-away defeat of Leeds United in 1992, later missing out on a Champions League final place by one point - led to the clamour for something new.

The Guardian - Sport

His record - two cups within six months of his appointment, a domestic treble in his first full season, a second title in 2005 and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League - set the context for a rueful but masterfully understated parting comment: "I'm sure those people who look at the facts will say that during a period of downsizing, I was reasonably successful".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sports or competitions, using specific terms like "defending champions" or "title holders" can add precision and context.

Common error

Avoid using "champions" to describe entities in situations lacking a clear competitive structure. Use words like "leaders" or "advocates" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "champions" is as a plural noun, typically referring to individuals or teams who have won a competition or championship. As Ludwig AI explains, the word follows standard grammar rules and is suitable for use in writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "champions" is a commonly used and grammatically correct plural noun, primarily used in news and sports contexts to denote winners of competitions. Ludwig AI confirms that the word adheres to standard grammatical rules. While generally neutral, its usage can be tailored using more specific alternatives like "title holders" or "defending champions" for precision. Remember to reserve the term for situations with clear competitive frameworks. It's crucial to avoid misuse in settings without a defined competition. Therefore, understanding the various contexts can enhance the accuracy and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defending champions

Specifies that these "champions" are currently holding a title from a previous competition.

title holders

Indicates those who currently possess a championship title.

victors

Emphasizes the act of winning and achieving victory.

winners

A general term for those who have won a competition or contest.

top contenders

Highlights those who are most likely to win or succeed.

leading performers

Focuses on individuals or teams that excel in their field.

world beaters

Refers to people that are supremely talented or successful.

gold medalists

Highlights champions who have won gold medals, generally in athletic competitions.

advocates

Refers to people who actively support or defend a cause.

supporters

Focuses on those who back a particular cause or person.

FAQs

How to use "champions" in a sentence?

The word "champions" is generally used to refer to the winners of a competition. For example: "The team celebrated their victory as the new "champions"."

What can I say instead of "champions"?

You can use alternatives like "winners", "title holders", or "victors" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "champions" or "champion"?

"Champions" is the plural form of "champion" and is used to refer to multiple winners or a team. "Champion" is singular and refers to one individual winner.

What is the difference between "champions" and "defenders"?

"Champions" refers to the winners of a competition, while "defenders" refers to the team or individual that won the previous competition and is now defending their title.